The North American Amateur Drivers Association Three-Track
Trotting Series moved to Yonkers Raceway on Thursday evening, November 7 and
over a racetrack rated good John Kokinos and Jerry Fielding emerged
victorious in their respective splits.
Kokinos not only held on to the point lead in the
series but actually opened up daylight against his competitors when he guided
Jennifer Lappe’s Impressive Earl to a 2:03.2 victory. And in his
first NAADA Trot start Fielding won a decision with Bill Mulligan’s Lady Love
Hanover in a time of 2:04.2.
In his division Kokinos hustled his trotter to the lead and
Impressive Earl was just that as the veteran Valley Victory gelding raced in
front the entire way.
Steve Oldford made a run at the leader nearing the halfway
point with Habanero but they couldn’t reach and by the final turn Impressive
Earl trotted away and scored a two length triumph over
Oldford’s mount. Third place went to George’s Vacation, driven by last year’s
National Amateur Driver of the Year, Bobby Krivelin.
Fielding employed the same strategy with his victory when he
sent Lady Love Hanover to the lead on the first turn and then played catch me
if you can. Although there were challenges from Tremendous Hit (Bob Hechkoff)
and Rodeo Red (Tony Berruso), Fielding and his trotting mare remained undaunted
and they had two lengths on the field at the top of the lane.
However, Lady Love Hanover tired a bit in the deep stretch
and Monica Banca and Hardrockenjessica came from far back with a rush and
darn near won it all, only falling short by a head at the finish. Verruso’s
Rodeo Red was third best some two lengths off the winner.
Kokinos, with 30 points, is the series leader, followed by
Banca (18) and Bob Davis (16).Fielding , Paul Minore, and Dave Yarock follow,
each with 10 points. Alan Schwartz (9) and Bobby Krivelin (8) round out
the top 8.
The series moves on to Freehold Raceway on Friday afternoon,
November 15.
