by John Manzi for the North American Amateur Drivers Association
Monticello, NY--- When driver Alan Schwartz
realized that the field in the $5000 NAADA Trot at Monticello Raceway on
Thursday afternoon (Nov. 19) was narrowed to just six starters by post time his
spirits rose since he had the favorite, Ladys Big Stormont, who'd start from
the far outside.
But all didn't go as expected. His trotter was
rough behind the gate and when the starter said go Ladys Big Stormont was
sluggish leaving, a far cry from the horse's usual habits.
Joe Lee hustled Coco Hall to the lead from the
two-hole and then grabbed leather to allow Ladys Big Stormont to take command
in the soft 30- second first panel.
With Schwartz on the lead the eventual winner Coco
Hall was more than content to sit the pocket behind the favorite.
“I was surprised that the first quarter was so
soft but I was plenty happy to be in the two-hole ,” Lee said later. “I didn't
know at the time that Alan's horse wasn't himself today but I was sure going to
enjoy a covered journey near all the action anyway.”
Ladys Big Stormont got the short field by the half
in 1:01.2 and then began to open some daylight on the trailers.
At the three quarters it was still the race
favorite showing the way with Coco Hall and driver Joe Lee waiting patiently
until the top of the lane so he could angle his charge down along the pylons
and have a clear shot at the wire.
“When my horse saw daylight at the top of the
stretch he grabbed the bit and put it in another gear and then he trotted
alongside the leader and finished him off in the final strides,” Lee explained.
Garnet, who started from the pole position
finished third, two lengths behind the winner, with the ever- improving
Christopher Doherty (Duff's grandson) at the lines.
Coco Hall, a 6-year Amigo Hall mare, is owned by
Brenda Messenger and Dr. Scott Woogen and trained by Gary Messenger.
He returned a $7.00 win payoff. to his
backers.
