by john manzi for NAADA
Monticello, NY-- The
final two races in the Italy vs NAADA Friendship Competition were contested at
Monticello Raceway on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 6) and when the shouting was over
NAADA's Alan Schwartz and Chris Doherty each emerged victorious in their
respective splits; Schwartz won his with We're Gonna Rock in 2:01.2 while
Doherty copped his division with Machmemackie in 2:00.1.
It was the first time that
NAADA has swept all four races in an international competition on
American
soil. Perhaps that both races were for pacers gave NAADA an advantage since
only trotting events are contested in Italy.
Sent off as the 3-5 betting
favorite Schwartz decided to find a hole when the gate sprung and he did in
fifth position along the pylons, a position he held until he moved first up at
the half as Monica Banca showed the way with Ryan's Mistress. It wasn't until
they reached the three quarters that We're Gonna Rock had the leader in sight.
And when they headed for home Schwartz only tapped the wheel discs and shouted
at his steed and little-by-little We're Gonna Rock began gaining ground on
Ryan's Mistress. And at the wire it took a photo to determine that Schwartz's
charge was victorious by a head as Italy's Enrico Colombino garnered the show
dough with Local Art.
The winner, a 6-year-old
Rock N Roll Heaven mare is owned by Twin Bridge Racing and trained by Frank
Yanoti. She paid $3.30 for win.
Young Christopher Doherty
was joyous after his victory with Machmemacki. And he should have been, after
all, it was is first driving victory this year and only the third of his
fledgling career.
“We got off to a good start,
and with some confusion behind, me we had a four-length lead at the quarter,”
Doherty related. “But we were never in any trouble through out the entire
mile.”
Even when Relentless Dreamer,
driven by Italy's Michele Bechis, looked Machmemackie in the eye at the three
quarters Doherty said he still had plenty of horse which proved correct when,
on the final turn Doherty's charge began to draw away from his challengers and
went on to a 2-1/2 length victory over Relentless Dreamer. Despite a covered
two-hole trip the entire way in the deep stretch Yankee Devil in rein to Enrico
Colombino, could do no better than a third place finish.
A recent purchase by Jim
Doherty Jr and John Santini and trained by Doherty, Machmemacki paid $8.10
