Yonkers, NY — James Slendorn powered first over with 6-5 chalk Hunting As and landed over the line first in a 2:02 mile to take the lone $13,400 dash of the North American Amateur Drivers Association trot at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (Feb. 20).
Leaving from post one, Slendorn sat third as 12-1 shot Hobbs (Victoria Stratton) bolted for the lead to a :29.4 first quarter. Hobbs slowed the tempo to a 1:01.2 half, prompting Slendorn to tip off the pylons and send Hunting As after the pacesetter heading for the backstretch.
Gaining slight ground through three-quarters in 1:31.2, Hunting As continued to grind after Hobbs through the turn and persisted through the stretch to down the leader late and pull clear to a length victory at the beam. Itsoneofthose (Andrew Adamczyk) grabbed a second-over tow late to take third.
Jenny Melander trains Hunting As, an 8-year-old gelding by Lionhunter, for owners Melander Racing Inc., Clark Stables and Robert Bernaski. He paid $4.50 to win.
NAADA action continues next Thursday (Feb. 28) with the sixth preliminary of the club’s winter series. First-race post time at Yonkers is 7 p.m. (EST).