by john manzi for NAADA and the Catskill Amateur Drivers Club
MONTICELLO,
NY –In a week inundated with races for amateur drivers, Monticello Raceway, for
the second consecutive day, programmed two amateur events on the afternoon card
of October 18 after showcasing two on the previous days program. Today
(Thursday),one was for members of North American Amateur Drivers Association
and another for those who are members of the Catskill Amateur Drivers Club with
many drivers belonging to both organizations.
In
the NAADA contest Alan Schwartz and Ladys Big Stormont made a laugher out of it
when they used the front end route to score an easy 3-1/4 length trotting
triumph over Jennifer Lappe’s Fox Valley Steffen in a 2:00:1 cocking. Not to be
outdone, Joe Lee used a similar route to notch an oh-so-easy 1:56 victory with
Artistic Cruiser in the Catskill Club’s pacing event later on the card.
In
a week which featured 12 contests through Thursday afternoon with two more to
follow tonight at Yonkers Raceway. With the continuing shortage of available
racing stock the amateur movement is welcomed, not only by sportsmen and women
who partake of the opportunities to drive just for the fun of it, but also by
the racetracks which need competitive races for their wagering clientele.
When
the gate sprung in the NAADA trot Schwartz sent Ladys Big Stormont towards the
front but after encountering Fox Valley Steffen and driver Jennifer Lappe
Schwartz contemplated taking a hole or going for the lead, with the latter
winning out.
Ladys
Big Stormont got parked in a rather soft 29 first quarter before taking
command. Then once on top Schwartz’s charge was comfortable by the half in
1:00. First to move was Joe Lee when he took Tim Lizzie off the pylons and
moved toward the front but three lengths behind the leader was all Tim Lizzie
could muster. Ladys Big Stormont drew away from his competition on the final
turn and coasted home comfortably tripping the mile timer in 2:00.1
The
veteran trotter had been good earlier in the season and after a stagnant period
he vaulted back to score his second consecutive triumph today.
“He
had been sluggish for a handful of starts so I turned him out for 10 days on my
nearby farm and he returned to his earlier season form,” Schwartz said
referring to Ladys Big Stormont’s recent improvement.
Schwartz
owns the winner who is trained by Rick Harp. He paid $4.20.
In
the Catskill amateurs pacing event Joe Lee looked for a spot along the pylons
with Artistic Cruiser after the start but couldn’t find any room.
“So,
I made up my mind to go for the lead which I did,” the New York Yankee’s
assistant locker room manager related. “Actually I didn’t have any other
choice. But it certainly turned out to be the right move.”
After
a :28.1 first quarter Lee and Artistic Cruiser gained command on the second
turn and they led the field by the half in:57.4. Still strong as they passed
the third stanza in 1:26.4 Artistic Cruise began to open daylight on the field
and they had four lengths as they turned for home which was opened to five at
the wire.
Second
place went to KJ Brent, driven by Billings president, Tony Verruso. Visiting
Kiwi, Gavin Cook, who competed in the NAADA v New Zealand competition on
Wednesday was offered chance to be a guest participant and he finished third
here with Crown Isle.
Artistic
Cruiser, a 5-year-old Artistic Fella gelding, is owned and trained by Tom
Milici. Sent off as the odds-on favorite he returned a $3.60 mutuel.
