The
second legs of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) and the
Catskill Amateur Drivers Club (CADC) 10-week series were contested on Thursday,
June 23 at Monticello Raceway and upon the completion of the afternoon card
NAADA winners included Alan Schwartz and Dein Spriggs while Hannah Miller
copped the CADC pace. Schwartz won with
Armstead Kyra in 2:00.3 while Spriggs was victorious with Saint Patty’s Doll in
2:00.2. “Hurricane Hannah” romped by over three lengths with Tijuana Party in
1:58.4.
In
their contest Schwartz and Armstead Kyra’s biggest challenge was how to handle
Bob Hechkoff’s recent purchase
Photosavvy whose prowess in his previous
races impressed the bettors enough to send them away at odds of even money.
However,
on the first turn Photosavvy made a break which allowed Schwartz’s charge to
cruise along unchallenged on the front end. They traveled through fractions of
:30; 1:00.2 and 1:30.2 and then held off a late charge from Hannah Miller and
Lou Lous Princess to hold on for a head victory in 2:00.2. Joe Lee took home the show dough with Woody.
“This
was the first time I drove her (Armstead Kyra) and I was real careful with her
leaving out of there. The last time she had the pole she made a break at the
start so I didn’t want that to happen with me today,” Schwartz said after his
driving victory.
As
the field rounded the final turn and headed for paydirt in that event Lou Lous
Princess, who had a two-hole trip, mounted a late rally.
“In
the lane I knew Hannah’s horse was gaining on mine and I was certainly glad
when the wire came up,” Schwartz added.
Armbro
Kyra, owned by Brenda Messenger and Dr. Scott Woogen and trained by Gary
Messenger, paid $10.40 for win.
A
second NAADA split went to Dein Spriggs, former two-time National Amateur
Driver of the Year. Up from Florida to drive Saint Patty’s Doll, Spriggs made
the trip worthwhile when he reined the 7-year old daughter of Conway Hall to a
2:00.2 victory over Aventure and driver Tony Ciuffetelli.
A
stalwart in the Florida Amateur Drivers Association, this was the fourth time
Spriggs sat behind Saint Patty’s Doll and the second time he was victorious. He
also has had two seconds among those four outings.
In
the NAADA trot today Spriggs gunned Saint Patty’s Doll to the lead from the
four-hole and took command at the quarter in :29.3. Once on top he made every
pole a winning one en route to a 2:00.2 clocking while he kept a hard charging
Aventure and driver Tony Ciuffetelli at bay. Blazin Delores finished third for
Hannah Miller.
“Besides
having a drive with Saint Patty’s Doll today I’ll stay tomorrow (Friday) to
drive in the GSY Amateur Series at the
Meadowlands,” Spriggs related.
Owned
by Karma Racing and trained by Patti Harmon, Saint Patty’s Doll returned a
$3.80 win mutuel.
The
last of the three amateur races saw Hannah Miller continue her prowess when she
guided Tijuana Party to an oh-so-easy 1:58. 4 victory In the Catskill Amateur
Drivers Club Series.
Sent
off as the 8-5 favorite from post two Miller quickly gained command and led the
field by the first stanza in a swift :28.4. From there she toyed with her
competition and was never in any trouble. And when Tijuana Party rounded the
final turn he began to draw off and coasted home an easy three-length winner
over McCabe Hall and driver Tony Ciuffetelli. Third place went to Shark
Treasure driven by Gerry Fielding.
“He’s
a pleasure to drive and he was real good today,” Miller said referring to
Tijuana Party. “He’s got quick speed away from the (starting) gate and he’s was
strong at the end of the mile, too."
