by john manzj
for NAADA
Yonkers, NY—The
proliferation of amateur driving organizations has been a boon to harness
racing with active clubs in New York, New England, New Jersey, Ohio and
Florida, And that's not counting the granddaddy of them all, the CKG Billings
Harness Driving Series as well as the Hall of Fame Amateurs.
Horses in races in the
aforementioned not only abet the local racetracks betting cards but give true
sportsmen(and women) an opportunity to enjoy the sport of driving a spirited
steed.
Arguably the busiest of all
the driving organizations currently is the North American Amateur Drivers
Association. They have hosted three European clubs and are currently in the
process of hosting a fourth, the French. Add to that three local NAADA 10-race
series—a fourth currently in the works-- and hardly a week goes by without
races for theirr membership.
Yesterday NAADA had two
races against the French in a Friendship Competition at Monticello Raceway
after an event at Yonkers on Tuesday. And perhaps all the action available is a
reason why the NAADA Trot tonight (Thursday) at Yonkers only had five declared
entrants and when the gate for their race sprung only three competed.
In that contest Paul Minore
sent his old veteran Wygant Prince to the lead from the three-hole and played
catch me if you can, and nobody could. Minore and his charge got by the first
stanza in :29.3 and the half in 1:01. Marching along in second place was Keenan
and driver John Calabrese and third at that point was Gianni and Matt
Zuccarello.
Up the backside Wygant
Prince seemed to put the pedal to the metal and he opened up a three-length
lead as he passed the three quarters in 1:30.2 and the margin was opened to six
at the wire as the timer flashed 2:00.1. Gianni trotted by Keenan in the
stretch for second money.
Minore owns the winner and
has owned him since he began racing. The 11-year-old altered son of S Js Photo
has amassed almost $430,000 in his illustrious career and earned a lifetime
mark of 1:56.3
Minore, a former high school
track coach entrusts the training duties to Taylor Gower. It was the 38th
career victory for Wygant Prince. And for Minore it was his 100th
win in the USA to go along with four wins against his counterparts in Europe.
