Due to extremely high winds, rain and poor visibility, Monticello Raceway was forced to cancel five of its eight scheduled races on Wednesday afternoon, April 3.
Racing was cancelled after the third race due to safety concerns.
On the abbreviated card, Alan Schwartz scored as the 8-5 favourite behind Raceace in the lone $7,500 split of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trot.
Leaving from post three, Schwartz sent Raceace for the front and faced little contention to a :30 first quarter. Southwind Larado (Robert Ciavardini) secured the pocket and stayed put behind the leader as Bully Boy (Anthony Verruso) made gains along the rim through a 1:00.3 half. Bully Boy continued pressing forward up the backside and drew to Raceace’s wheel at three-quarters in 1:31 before levelling off through the final turn. Raceace spun for home and strolled in a 1-1/4-length winner in 2:02.2 over Bully Boy with Southwind Larado taking third and Sorprese (Joe Faraldo) grabbing fourth.
Schwartz owns and trains Raceace, an eight-year-old gelding by Yankee Glide. He paid $5.40 to win.
NAADA action will return to Monticello next Wednesday, April 10 for the fifth preliminary of the NAADA Spring Series. First-race post time at Monticello is 12:10 p.m. (EDT).
(With files from Monticello Raceway & NAADA)