Yonkers, NY — With the addition of three added driving entrants, the sixth leg of the North American Amateur Drivers’ Association trotting series was split into two six-horse divisions going for $8,000 purses before the Thursday night (April 18) betting card at Yonkers Raceway got underway. Series regulars Alan Schwartz and Paul Minore each hustled their charges to victories in their respective splits.

Schwartz went an overland trip with his Ladys Big Stormont to score a 2:00.2 triumph, while Minore used the front-end route to a 2:01.4 victory with his own Glenferrie Dreamer over his rivals.

In Schwartz’s contest, he left softly from post five with Ladys Big Stormont and took a tuck in third along the pylons. Meanwhile, Pearly Allen showed the way with Wygant Prince while Joe Pennacchio and Santini were caught on the limb in the :28.4 first stanza.

Heading to the half, Wygant Prince and Santini were head-to-head, with the former getting the first call as the timer flashed :59. Up the backside, Ladys Big Stormont rallied but was forced three-deep into the final turn. Undaunted, Ladys Big Stormont battled valiantly down the lane and kept a hard-closing Osprey Vision (Joe Lee) at bay for a neck triumph. Wygant Prince held on for third money.

“This was one of the better races that my trotter has gone this year,” Schwartz acknowledged. “We got pushed three-deep in the final turn, but Ladys Big Stomont dug in and hung tough in the lane to hold off a fast-closing Joe Lee (with Osprey Vision).”

In the second division, Paul Minore guided his own Glenferrie Dreamer — he also owns Wygant Prince — to a hard-fought victory over what appeared to be the tougher of the two splits.

Minore took advantage of the pole position and coasted to the lead in a :29.3 first quarter and caught a real break when last week’s winner Tough Get Going (Joe Faraldo) had a tough time getting going after making a break before the start, rendering him virtually out of the race.

Dave Offenberg and Fiji made a serious challenge before the half, but Glenferrie Dreamer kept him at bay after a breaking Noble Warrawee (Bob Hechkoff) scattered the field. And although Noble Warrawee rallied to be second under the wire, he was disqualified and third-place finisher Permanent Joy (Bob Krivelin) was awarded second money. Fiji took home the show dough.

The NAADA series moves back to Monticello Raceway next Thursday (April 25).