Yonkers, NY – Tony Ciuffetelli protected position from the pylon draw with Yucatan Party Man and rejected all challengers to the finish of a 2:01.3 mile for a narrow victory in the lone $13,100 division of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trot on Thursday night (June 25) at Yonkers Raceway.
Ciuffetelli hustled Yucatan Party Man towards the lead, pocketing 4-5 favorite Cal Miles N Shell (driven by John Calabrese) while Papa Joe Lozito (Robert Ciavardini) pushed forward up the rim from third.
Yucatan Party Man cut a :29.1 first quarter and bore mild pressure from Papa Joe Lozito while managing to slow proceedings to a 1:01 half. Papa Joe Lozito began to tire from his uncovered trip after three-quarters in 1:31.4, at which point Ciuffetelli set down with Yucatan Party Man for the finish.
Cal Miles N Shell had clearance to angle from the pocket spinning for home and laid aim on the tempo-setter late, but came a nose shy of victory at the beam. Barn Credit (Andrew Adamczyk) saved ground for third while Jesses Doll (Rey Franco) emerged from off the speed for fourth.
Tony Ciuffetelli trains Yucatan Party Man, an 8-year-old gelding by Credit Winner, for owners Joseph and Albert Ciuffetelli. He paid $6.44 to win.
NAADA action resumes next Thursday (July 2) at Yonkers Raceway with the fourth preliminary of the club’s Summer Series. First-race post time at Yonkers is 6:45 p.m. (EDT).