by John Manzi, for NAADA
Yonkers,
NY---As the fourth and final series of the North American Amateur Drivers
Association nears completion the eight leg of the 10-race Fall competition was
contested at Yonkers Raceway with two short fields going to post prior to the
betting card getting underway and when both events were completed
Alan Schwartz and Bobby
Ciavardini each emerged victorious in their respective splits. Schwartz won
with his old warhorse Ladys Big Stormont in 2:01.1 while Ciavardini copped his
division with Baltimor AS in 2:01.4. Both races were contested over a sloppy
racetrack.
Schwartz and his veteran
trotter started from the pole position and they sped to the front and had two
lengths on their competition at the quarter in :28.2. After tapping the brakes
Ladys Big Stormont got by the half in :59.3 Up the backside Schwartz was
comfortable and braced for challenges from the ladies, Jennifer Lappe with
Celebrity Blue Chip and Monica Banca with Master Of Excuses. But once Ladys Big
Stormont rounded the final turn he put it in another gear and rambled off to a
solid three-length triumph. Celebrity Blue Chip photoed-out Master Of Excuses
for second money.
Schwartz owns and trains the
winner who notched his 11th seasonal triumph and raised his 2018 bankroll
to over $53,000.
In his split Ciavardini was
content sit in the three- hole as Annie Stoebe took command with Uriel on the
first turn and they showed the way past the quarter in :30.0. They were still
without any challenges as they trotted by the half in 1:01.2. When the field
headed for the three quarters Ciavardini moved Baltimor AS off the pylons to
challenge and the two raced side by side into the turn and when they headed for
home Baltimor AS had gained command and went on to a length victory over Uriel.
Third place went to Here Comes Numbers driven by Dr John Kokinos.
Ciavardini put racing on the
back-burner in the mid-1980's and after completing his professional working
career he rejoined the amateur ranks two years ago. From a limited. amount of
starts this was his first seasonal driving victory.. Tom Milici owns the
trotter who's trained by Austin Gilbert.
