Yonkers, NY — Yogi Sheridan powered from the pocket while Scott Keppler persisted first over to win their respective divisions of the North American Amateur Drivers Association trots at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (July 25).
In the first division, Sheridan struck the winning blow with 9-5 favorite Mr Contestant to win in 2:00.
![](https://ustrottingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Mr-Contesant072524.jpg)
Sheridan secured a pocket ride behind pylon-starter Brownie (Joe Lee) and trailed the leader through fractions of :28.1 and :59. As movement came along the rim from Quiksilvr Bluechip (Tony Beltrami) through the backstretch, Sheridan tipped out of the pocket with Mr Contestant and overhauled the race leader after three-quarters in 1:29.3. Mr Contestant maintained his speed through the lane to wade off the continuous push from Quiksilvr Bluechip, who settled for second, beaten a length. Mufasa As (Joe Faraldo) closed from third over for third.
Peter Pellegrino trains Mr Contestant, a 9-year-old gelding by Winning Mister, for owner Room4040 LLC Stables. He paid $5.60 to win.
Keppler later clinched victory from an uncovered grind behind Psalmsfortysixfive to win the second division in 1:59.4.
Pslamsfortysixfive floated away third while Raceace (Alan Schwartz) grabbed the point before a :29.1 first quarter. Keppler then pulled off the pegs through the breather to a :59.2 half and marched towards the pacesetter moving to three-quarters in 1:29. Raceace and Psalmsfortysixfive raced as one through the final turn until Psalmsfortysixfive inched to a narrow lead and kept his foe down all through the lane. Psalmsfortysixfive then held off a late push from Beacon Beach (Sheridan) in the stretch to win by a half- length while Raceace settled for third.
Jose Godinez trains Psalmsfortysixfive, a 4-year-old mare by Fitzmagic, for owner Keppler. She paid $7.30 to win.
NAADA action moves back to Monticello Raceway next Wednesday (July 31) for the ninth leg of the club’s Summer Series. First-race post time at Monticello is 12:10 p.m. (EDT).