by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Dave Offenberg and his trotter Whatnblazes shadowed the pacesetter Killer Whale to the top of the lane and then rallied to a 2:01 victory in the ninth leg of the North American Amateur Drivers Association’s three-track trotting series on Saturday afternoon (May 11) at Freehold Raceway.

“I had a picture perfect pocket trip,” Offenberg said after the race was completed.

“I left from the seven hole and wanted to be on the front-end but when a hole opened on the first turn behind Paul Minore’s horse (Killer Whale) I immediately ducked in it and stayed right behind him until the top of the stretch. When the passing lane opened I went up the inside and we won it handily.”

Offenberg, from Monroe Township, N.J., is the owner of an office machinery sales company. He has owned quality harness horses for decades and in 1998 he began his amateur driving career. His win at Freehold was his second driving victory in 11 starts this year and his 39th overall.

Whatnblazes, owned by Offenberg’s Allister Stables LLC, paid $10.00 for win.

The Freehold Raceway contest was the next to last preliminary leg of the NAADA Trotting Series. The final prelim will be contested at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday (May 16). After that, the drivers who earned the most points in the series will be eligible to race in the $14,000 series final at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday (May 23). However, should there be enough entries, a $5,000 NAADA series consolation will be contested at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday (May 22).