by John Manzi, for the NAADA

Monticello, NY — The third leg of the NAADA Trotting Series went to post in the eighth race on Thursday (Oct. 20) at Monticello Raceway and when it was completed, Alan Schwartz and Wen-Mar’s Handsome scored a 2:03.2 victory over Peter Gerry and Drill Sergeant Sam. The triumph was the first for both the horse and driver in the five-leg, two-track series.

Schwartz, who maintains a small stable here, is one of the few amateur drivers who competes regularly against professionals. Although it was his initial win in the series it was his 31st winning drive at the Mighty M and 33rd overall this season. Lifetime, Schwartz has recorded 433 driving victories, a very respectable number for an amateur reinsman.

B Muffler and Bob Hechkoff took command early and sped through quarters of :28.4 and 1:00.2 before Schwartz and Wen-Mar’s Handsome ranged alongside as the leader chugged by the halfway point. Schwartz wasted no time circling to the front and by the third stanza Wen-Mar’s Handsome had a two length lead, which the trotter held all the way to the wire. Third place went to Westwood Castleton who was driven by Gary Campbell.

With two legs and a $12,000 final still remaining in the NAADA Series, Schwartz now stands alone in second place on the event’s leaderboard with 20 points. Bob Hechkoff, who won the first leg here on Oct. 6, leads the pack with 23 points. Laura MacNamara is third with 15 points while Bob Krivelin and Joe Faraldo, each with 13 points, are tied for fourth. George Casale follows with 11 points and Gary Campbell (10) and Peter Gerry (8) round out the top eight.

The top eight in points will earn a chance to drive in the series finale which is slated for Yonkers Raceway on Thursday (Nov. 10). Next Thursday (Oct. 27), the fourth leg of the event will be contested at Yonkers Raceway.