by John Manzi, for the NAADA

Monticello, NY — Alan Schwartz and Iroquouindianmagic copped the first leg of the North American Amateur Drivers Association Trotting Series with a come-from-behind victory in 2:02.2 over a muddy racetrack at Monticello Raceway on Thursday, September 30.

Geri Schwarz photo

Alan Schwartz and Iroquouindianmagic were 2:02.2 winners.

After a slow start Iroquouindianmagic was last at the quarter pole some nine lengths behind the pace-setter, Mighty Muscles, who was driven by Laura MacNamara. MacNamara showed the way to the half but she and her trotter were overtaken by Dave Yarock and Lady Marmalade who finally made the top after being parked to that point. From there Lady Marmalade drew off open lengths as Schwartz struggled to get Iroquouindianmagic into contention and to do so he needed to move three-wide as the field moved past the three-quarters to range alongside Lady Marmalade on the final turn.

Lady Marmalade hung tough and opened up a short lead as the two trotters headed for paydirt but in the lane Iroquouindianmagic was the strong horse and the veteran Credit Winner gelding got-up in the final strides to collar Lady Marmalade. Mighty Muscle held on for the show money.

“My horse is always funny when he leaves the (starting) gate and I have to steady him on the first turn,” Schwartz related as to why he got away so far behind the leaders. “ But once he gets around the first turn a kid could drive him.

“Though we had a long way to come he grinded it out and we took dead aim at Yarock’s trotter in the stretch and my horse proved to be the better of the two, at least this time.”

The NAADA trot here is the first of five preliminary legs which will be contested at both Monticello and Yonkers Raceways on consecutive Thursdays, each week interchanging the venue. The second leg is slated at Yonkers Raceway on October 7.

The series will culminate with a $12,000 Final to be raced at Yonkers Raceway on November 4. However, if enough horses compete in the series a $4,000 consolation could be raced at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday, November 3.

The series is open to all amateur drivers who hold a valid New York State Racing and Wagering Board license and are paid-up members of the North American Amateur Drivers Association.