After settling in third heading for the quarter, Charlie Longo moved Crews Hilltopper out in the two-horse position and marched toward the lead in the $7,500 North American Amateur Drivers Association Trot on Wednesday at Monticello Raceway.
Mr Ridgetaker (Dave Yarock) wasn't yielding command, however, when they headed for home, Crews Hilltopper rallied by to defeat Yarock's charge in 2:01.3 by three-quarters of a length.
There was a tight photo for the show dough but Alan Schwartz got Awol Hanover up in the final strides for third money, nosing out Brilliant Bob and driver Scott Keppler.
Crews Hilltopper, a seven-year-old Break The Bank K gelding, is trained by Nick Devita and owned by Jeffrey Fox, Eric Cohen and Cassandra Solarte.
He paid $4.80 for the win as the odds-on favourite.
(With files from NAADA)