by John Manzi, for the NAADA

Monticello, NY — The sun was shining, the temperature was in the 50s and there was a brisk wind on Thursday afternoon, April 15, when Monticello Raceway hosted two divisions of the second leg of the North American Amateur Drivers Association’s Trotting Series. Alan Schwartz won the first division with Iroquouindianmagic in 2:02.4 while Bob Krivelin copped the other split with Mr Troy in a 2:01.1 clocking.

Geri Schwarz photo

Alan Schwartz and Iroquouindianmagic rambled to an easy victory in their NAADA division.

For Schwartz and Iroquouindianmagic the path to victory was a rather easy one. After allowing Bob Hechkoff and Over The Wire to cut the early fractions, Schwartz moved his trotter near the halfway point and slowly cruised up alongside the leaders as they raced by the three-quarter pole.

Still easing forward around the final turn Schwartz gave Iroquouindianmagic his head when they straightened in the lane and the veteran Credit Winner gelding cruised on to an easy three length triumph over Arcaro, driven by Peter Gerry. Pacesetter Over The Wire hung on for the show dough.

“My horse was so good today I was just buggy riding,” Schwartz said after his victory.

Krivelin, on the other hand, won his division when he and Mr Troy drafted behind the betting favorite Mystical Heiress and then rallied in the deep stretch to charge home a one length winner over the pacesetter. Patsy B Happy, who won the NAADA Trot division at Yonkers Raceway last Thursday, finished third.

“That was a pretty good mile for these horses,” a jubilant Krivelin said, referring to the 2:01.1 final time. “And my horse went a big trip to win it.”

The NAADA Trotting Series continues with the second preliminary leg at Yonkers Raceway next Wednesday, April 21, with the third and final Monticello preliminary leg to be contested on Thursday, April 29.