When
Monticello Raceway’s director of racing, Eric Warner, found that the track lost
a driver in the North American Amateur Drivers Association’s $5000 seven-
horse consolation he went to work immediately to secure another driver to keep
the race with decent betting interests.
With
only a few possible drivers who were eligible to compete (this race was for the
NAADA participants who didn’t earn enough points for the series finale) Warner
called down to Freehold Raceway and asked John Calabrese if he’s be able to
come and drive in the race slated on Wednesday November 2nd at The
Mighty M. And when Calabrese said he’d come it turned out to be a win-win
situation for both him and the Sullivan County oval.
The
7-horse field went to post in the second race and when it was declared official
Calabrese won the event with Woody in a 2:00.1 clocking.
Perhaps
the fact that Woody had the pole position made it easier for Calabrese confirm
that he’d take the trip to Monticello, still it was a gracious gesture on his
part knowing that amateur drivers receive no remuneration for their efforts.
Also
benefiting from Calabrese’s trip to drive Woody was the horse’s owner, Woody
Hoblitzell, who got for him one of the more talented amateur drivers competing
today.
As
aforementioned, Woody and Calabrese started from the pole position and they got
away fourth position four lengths behind Come And Tell Pap (Bob Davis) who got
first call in the :29.2 first panel. With Davis’ charge on the lead Calabrese
followed Paul Minore who moved Wygant Prince off the pylons and they were one-two
on the limb as the field headed to the halfway point.
As
the field trotted to the three quarters Wygant Prince gained command with Woody
and Calabrese in hot pursuit. When they straightened for home Woody was the
strong horse and the Glidemaster 6-year-old gelding rallied to a 1-1/4-length
victory over Minore’s trotter to score his third victory of the season. Come
And Tell Pap hung on for the show dough.
Trained
by Bruce Aldrich, Sr., Woody paid $7.80 for win. And for Calabrese, he is
having his best year since he began competing in amateur racing in 1991. His
victory was the 12th this year in 39 starts and considering his five
seconds and three third place finishes Calabrese owns a .405 UDR.this season.
On
Saturday night, November 5 the top eight point earners in the recently
completed NAADA Series will battle in the $15,000 Final on the betting card at
Yonkers Raceway.
