Yonkers, NY — Andrew Adamczyk refused to relinquish control of the lead with 4-5 favorite Explosive Ridge and his persistence rewarded him with the top prize in the $20,000 final for the North American Amateur Drivers Association Spring Series on Thursday night (May 23) at Yonkers Raceway.

Explosive Ridge glided to the finish and stopped the clock in 1:59.2. Gabriel Heslop photo.

Adamczyk gathered momentum to the pylon post with Explosive Ridge to carve through the outside leavers and grab the lead into the first turn. Muscle Dan (Tony Ciuffetelli) then found himself parked to the backside and pressed forward to confront Explosive Ridge for the lead. Adamczyk yielded to Muscle Dan past a :28.2 first quarter but promptly pulled Explosive Ridge off the pegs to circle back to the top after a :57.3 half. Once back on the point, Explosive Ridge had another wave of challengers looming into the backstretch.

Raceace (Alan Schwartz), parked from the start, advanced along the rim to contest for the lead as Flashy Swan (Lee Morris) began a menacing three-wide swoop with Winneress (Anthony Verruso) blind switched but poised second over.

Explosive Ridge stayed resolute on the helm and rebuffed Raceace’s challenge past three-quarters in 1:28.2 as Flashy Swan broke stride from his rushing move. Building a two-length cushion on the spin for home, Explosive Ridge glided to the finish and stopped the clock in 1:59.2 to clinch the win over Winneress, who kicked off cover to take second, beaten 1-3/4 lengths. Muscle Dan gave chase from the pocket to finish third and Mufasa As (Joe Faraldo) stormed widest of all down the stretch to snag fourth from the weary Raceace.

Explosive Ridge, a 10-year-old gelding by Explosive Matter, competes for owner-trainer Adamczyk. He paid $3.70 to win.

In winning the NAADA Spring Series final, Adamczyk earned the right to direct a donation from the NAADA to a 501(c)(3) charity of his choice. Adamczyk selected the American Cancer Society to receive the $2,500 check, which he donated in honor of his father.