by John Manzi, for the NAADA
Monticello, NY — The North American Amateur Drivers Association’s two-track spring trotting series returns to Monticello Raceway on Thursday (April 14) with an eight-horse field going to post in the eighth race on the 11-race card.
Favored on the early line is Tremendous Hit (Bob Hechkoff) who was second to Double Strength in a 2:01.3 mile in the second NAADA leg at Yonkers on April 7. Tremendous Hit leaves from the coveted pole position on Thursday.
But they can expect trouble from Paula B and driver Alan Schwartz who won the first leg here on March 31. After opting to sit out the Yonkers Raceway prelim on April 7 and compete here over their home course, Paula B and Schwartz recorded a second place finish in a 2:02.2 mile which broke her two-race win skein. However, when they start from post position three they’ll have to be reckoned with.
So will be Yankee Coburn who’ll have the driving services of 2010 Amateur Driver of the Year, 17-year-old Joey Bongiorno. Together they were closing strongly on the leaders in the Yonkers leg last week but ran out of racetrack and finished fourth.
Talented amateurs Peter Gerry and David Yarock have joined the fray with the former set to pilot Admirable Hanover from the eight hole while the latter will rein Biggerthebetter and start from post five.
Also with trotters in the race are Eric Taddeo, Bob Krivelin and Gerry Fielding.
Dave Offenberg, who won the Yonkers leg last week and is without a mount on Thursday, currently leads the series in points with 12. Alan Schwartz and Bob Krivelin, each with 11, are the runners-up. Joe Faraldo is fourth with eight points followed by Laura MacNamara with six and Joey Bongiorno with four. Gerry Fielding, Eric Taddeo and Bob Hechkoff each have three points.
The top eight in points will earn a berth in the $12,000 series finale on Thursday, May 5, at Yonkers Raceway.