by john manzi for NAADA and the CADC
Amateur racing took center stage once again at
Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon (Nov.9) showcasing two divisions of
the NAADA Trots and one split for pacers in the Catskill Amateur Club
Series. NAADA winners included Alan Schwartz and Paul Minore while
Jennifer Lappe registered one for the ladies in the CADC pace.
In the fastest NAADA Trot Schwartz scored a 1:58.4
triumph with Ladys Big Stormont whereas Minore and his Wygant Prince cruised
home an easy winner in a 2:01 clocking in the other NAADA event and Ms
Lappe and Lightning Strike out-footed their competition to score a 1:57.4
victory in the Catskill amateurs pace.
The
fastest mile of the three aforementioned amateur events was turned in by
Jennifer Lappe when she guided her pacer, Lightning Strike, to a
gate to wire three-length triumph in a time of 1:57.4 over KJ Brent and driver
Bob Krivelin, who had recovered after going off-stride before the start. Third
place, a neck farther behind, was TKR’s Metro Specs with Joe Lee at the
controls.
After notching her third win in five drives behind
Lightning Strike it was needless to say that Ms Lappe was joyful after her
triumph. Asked why the pacer races so well for her she replied, obviously with
tongue in cheek, “I guess he’s just a lady’s man!”
The veteran pacer, sent off as the odds-on favorite in
the race, paid $3.30 for win. He is owned and trained by Bill Mintz.
Both winners in the NAADA Trotting Series turned in
impressive miles but the fastest of the two was the 1:58.4 victory
by Alan Schwartz’s Ladys Big Stormont.
After the gate sprung in that contest Schwartz gunned
his trotter to the lead and kept a close eye on Monica Banca and Brandos Muscle
Man who were hung out and began to challenge for the lead. So as not to get in
a speed duel, the veteran amateur driver allowed Banca to take command
before the quarter poll and then he retook the lead. Once on top Ladys Big
Stormont just toyed with the field and cruised home an oh-so-easy five length
winner over Jennifer Lappe’s Fox Valley Steffen. Ms Banca and Brandos Muscle
Man held on for the show dough.
“He’s real good on the front-end and he raced giant
today,” a smiling Schwartz said after the race. Those who wagered on Ladys Big
Stormont received a $4.20 payoff.
The winner is owned by Schwartz and trained by
Rick Harp.
The other NAADA Trot saw Paul Minore and his veteran
10-year-old Wygant Price march to the lead from the pylon position and then
make every pole a winning one en route to a two-length triumph in a 2:01
clocking over Dave Yarock’s Mr Ridgetaker. Peoplesayimnogood finished third for
Bob Krivelin.
"He's having a good year and he's such a pleasure
to drive ," Minore said referring to Wygant Prince. He's real handy. He's
good on the lead and races well from behind."
Owned by Minore and trained by Taylor Gower Wygant
Prince raised his career earnings to over $382,000. Sent off as the favorite he
paid $4,20.
