by John Manzi, for NAADA
Monticello, NY—Two solid
divisions for members of the North American Amateur Drivers Association were
presented on the pleasant fall afternoon of November 1 at Monticello Raceway
and when the judges hung the official signs Jennifer Lappe and Alan Schwartz
won their respective splits; Lappe with Multitaskr Hanover in 2:00.4 and
Schwartz up behind Peoplesayimnogood in 1:59.1.
In the first division Lappe
hustled her trotter to the lead as the wings of the mobile gate folded and they
had command with Ladys Big Stormont out on the limb when the field headed for
the quarter pole.
As they approached the first
marker Lappe grabbed leather and allowed Schwartz's charge to take command as
the timer flashed :28.4. Content to enjoy a covered trip Lappe followed
Schwartz's lead and Ladys Big Stormont trotted by the halfway point in :59.3.
Still being stalked as the
field passed the three quarters Ladys Big Stoemon seemed comfortable, but when
the two rounded the final turn Lappe slide out from behind her cover and
Multitaskr Hanover trotted to the lead and finished one length better than
Ladys Big Stormont. Third place went to Gianni and driver, Bob Davis in the
2:00.2 trotted mile.
Asked why she chose to move to
the outside when the field rounded the final turn instead of taking advantage
of the passing lane, Lappe responded ; “my horse drifted out coming off the
turn so instead of trying to angle him back toward the passing lane I gave him
his head and he responded wonderfully by trotting around Alan's horse and on to
an easy victory.”
It was the 30th
driving victory this year for Ms Lappe who not only competes in amateur races
but also drives against the professionals. Currently, to go along with her 30
wins, are 43 seconds and 53 thirds and a respectful ,256 UDR from 280 starts
thus far this year. It was also her 87th training victory for the
accomplished horsewoman.
Ms Lappe owns and trains the
winner who paid $8.80.
Although he finished second
in the first NAADA trot Alan Schwartz made amends when he rallied
Peoplesayimnogood to a three-length triumph in the second division.
After starting from the
three-hole Schwartz eased his trotter to the pylons when the gate sprung and
Joe Faraldo sent Tough Get Going toward the front but Joe Lee, with Tim Lizzie,
parked him by the first quarter in :28.2.
Once in command Faraldo kept
the pedal to the metal and Tough Get Going opened a five-length lead as they
trotted by the half in :57.2. At that point Schwartz's trotter was third, some
seven lengths off the lead, but as Tough Get Going passed the three quarters he
only had two lengths on the field and Schwartz rallied Peoplesayimnogood to
third position. When he rounded the final turn Schwartz took aim at a leg-weary
Tough Get Going and by mid-stretch Peoplesayimnogood had command and were
pulling away and went on to a three-length triumph in a 1:59.1 clocking. Third
place went to Celebrity Blue Chip, driven by Jennifer Lappe.
“This was the first time I
drove Peoplesayimnogood and I didn't know much him since he did most of his
racing out of town. But he was a perfect horse to drive,” Schwartz said after
the race.” We had a covered trip and when I pulled him it was 'ballgame'.”
The winner, who notched his
7th seasonal triumph, is owned by Dr. Scott Woogen and trained by
Gary Messenger. He paid $15.20 for win. And for Schwartz it was his 11th
seasonal triumph and 607th of his brilliant amateur career.
