by John Manzi, for the NAADA

Monticello, NY — The $12,000 final of the North American Amateur Drivers Association’s two-track trotting series went to post on Wednesday night (May 5) at Yonkers Raceway as a non-wagering affair and when all the action had subsided, Dave Yarock guided the only mare in the race, Patsy B Happy, to a stunning five length victory in a time of 2:00.

Tom Berg photo

Patsy B Happy and Dave Yarock cruised to a 2:00 victory in the NAADA Final.

Joe Faraldo and Winning Prince cut the fractions with Cory Stratton and Invocation challenging for the lead the entire mile. But Stratton wasn’t alone in his quest for the front-end. Bob Krivelin and Mr Troy also took aim at Faraldo but Krivelin settled in the two-hole which left Stratton on the limb the entire mile.

Meanwhile with all the early action, Yarock was content to keep Patsy B Happy in the pocket along the pylons. Even though they were eight lengths off the lead at the halfway point, when Patsy B Happy fired up the backstretch she circled the leaders and went on to an easy victory. Faraldo and Winning Prince held on for second money and despite his overland trip, Stratton took home the show dough with Invocation

Though Patsy B Happy had been on the board in every series start at both Monticello and Yonkers, her victory in the final was sweet revenge for Dave Yarock.

“I knew there would be a battle for the lead in the early going and I was right when Faraldo, Stratton and Krivelin fired out for the front-end,” said Yarock. “And after Joe (Faraldo) got the lead he wouldn’t relinquish it and when they (the leaders) got to the half in :59 I liked my chances even though we had a lot of ground to make up.

“As we straightened away up the backstretch I showed Patsy daylight. She trotted around everyone and we sailed home an easy winner.”

Yarock, a financial planner from Tenafly, N.J., scored his second seasonal driving victory. He is also a member of the Billings Series.