by john manzi for NAADA and the CADC
MONTICELLO,
NY – The last two amateur races of the season at Monticello Raceway
were contested on Wednesday, November 29 and when the judges hung the official
signs Tony Ciuffetelli emerged victorious in the $6000 NAADA Consolation
while Jennifer Lappe copped the $6500 Catskill Club Final.
Ciuffetelli
reined trotter Better To Be Lucky home first in a 2:01.2 clocking whereas
Lapped scored a 1:59.2 triumph with pacer Lightning Strike.
There
was only a five horse field for the NAADA consolation and taking advantage of
the short field Tony Ciuffetelli sent his charge to the lead. Once there they
made every pole a winning one en route to a head victory over Connie Keeper and
driver Bob Krivelin .
“Since
my horse is good on the lead, and with the pole position and the short field, I
thought the front end was the place to be,” Ciuffetelli said after the
race.
They
charged to the front and Better To Be Lucky trotted off to an early lead. But
they couldn’t shake Connie Keeper who followed along doggedly in the two hole
as the others faded lengths behind.
When
the leaders headed for home Krivelin moved Connie Keeper out to
challenge and they raced neck and neck to the finish and at the wire Better To
Be Lucky prevailed by a head. Third place went to Grand Vision in rein to
Bob Ciavardini.
“He
had breaking issues earlier this year but he’s OK now.”, Ciuffetteli said
referring to Better To Be Lucky. “I was getting after him pretty good as we
neared the wire but he stayed at his work and hung tough today”
Ciuffetlli
also owns and trains the winner who returned an $8.20 mutuel.
The
Catskill Amateur Club’s finale was a tribute to the ladies as three were
finalists and the gals finished one –three an action packed driving finish.
When
the wings of the mobile starting gate folded Monica Banca sent Fox Valley Leo
to the lead followed on the outside by Lightning Strike and driver Jennifer
Lappe. But as they approached the first stanza in a swift :27.2 Lappe
found room on the inside and tucked in nicely behind the leader.
Before
the field passed the halfway point in .57.2 Gerry Fielding was out and going
with Troon, the betting favorite. They rallied alongside Fox Valley
Leo as the three quarter timer flashed 1:27.4. When they straightened for
paydirt Fox Valley Leo and Troon battled side by side and then in
mid-stretch they were joined in the passing lane by Lucky Strike and the three
raced to the finish. At the wire Lappe’s pacer, Lucky Strike, prevailed by a
length. Troon was second and Fox Valley Leo third.
“We
got lucky finding room along the pylons or we’d have been hung out,”
a joyous Lappe related in the paddock as she hung up the lines.
“Lightning Strike is a pleasure to drive and I guess we just clicked.”
It
marked Lucky Strike’s fourth victory in his last five starts for Lappe. Owned
and trained by Bill Mintz he paid $4.00 for win.
On
Friday the $15,000 NAADA Final will be contested at Yonkers Raceway as a
non-wagering affair prior to the first race on the betting card.
