Monticello, NY – Joe Faraldo grabbed the lead with 32-1 shot My Secret Ability and held firmly to the finish for a 1:58.4 victory in the lone $8,500 division of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trot at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday (July 22).
Leaving from post 6, Faraldo fired for the front through a :29 first quarter and took command from pylon-starter Communion Money (driven by Scott Bako). From there, My Secret Ability coasted to a :58.3 half and 1:28.2 three-quarters while enduring first-over pressure from even-money favorite Cal Miles N Shell (John Calabrese). My Secret Ability repelled the favorite into the stretch and staved off a late charge from second-over Shake N Bake (Yogi Sheridan) to win by a half length while Cal Miles N Shell settled for third and Baby Tao (Scott Keppler) rallied for fourth.
Daniel Gill trains My Secret Ability, a 6-year-old gelding by My MVP, for owner Adam Friedland. He paid $67.92 to win.
NAADA action resumes next Wednesday (July 29) at Monticello with another preliminary for the club’s summer series. First-race post time at Monticello is 12:10 p.m. (EDT).