by John Manzi, for the NAADA

Monticello, NY — Although he finished sixth in total points earned over the North American Amateur Drivers Association’s 12 race Fall Series, Dave Offenberg won the $15,000 final at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday night (Dec. 5) when he guided King’s Cavalier to an easy five length triumph over Cassa’s Image (Alan Schwartz) and No Recess (Bob Hechkoff) in a 1:59.1 clocking.

It marked the second recent big amateur contest that Offenberg had won with the King’s Cavalier. On Nov. 22 at Harrah’s Philadelphia, Offenberg and King’s Cavalier teamed-up to win the 1-1/4 mile $15,000 Silver Cup final in the CKG Billings series.

With two wins and a second in his last three starts there’s no question that King’s Cavalier has gotten a lot better recently. The 8-year-old Yankee Glide gelding is owned by Offenberg’s Allister Stables and trained by Eric Abbatiello and a thrilled Offenberg couldn’t say enough good things about his trainer after the race.

“Eric has him in top shape now,” Offenberg said. “When we bought him earlier this year he was a bit quirky but lately Eric has figured him out and now he’s such a pleasure to drive.”

In the NAADA final King’s Cavalier started from the five hole and when the gate sprung Offenberg left softly and fell in fourth along the pylons as Alan Schwartz and Bob Hechkoff got in a speed duel on the front end which saw their trotters pass the first stanza in a swift :28.1. With Schwartz on the lead with Cassa’s Image and Hechkoff on the limb with No Recess the two trotters raced head to head to the half in :58.1.

As the leaders approached the halfway point Offenberg moved King’s Cavalier off the pylons and flushed out Permanent Joy (Bob Krivelin) but before they reached the half Permanent Joy made a break which left King’s Cavalier on the limb without cover.

At the three-quarters Offenberg’s trotter approached Schwartz’s Cassa’s Image who was alone on the lead. On the final turn King’s Cavalier collared the leader and in the lane he began to ease away and then drew off to an easy victory.

It marked the fifth seasonal triumph for King’s Cavalier and it was also a seasonal mark for the veteran trotter.