by John Manzi, for NAADA

Monticello,NY — When Monticello Raceway’s director of racing, Eric Warner, found thatthe track lost a driver in the North American Amateur Drivers Association’s $5,000 7-horse consolation, he went to work immediately to secureanother driver to keep the race with decent betting interests.

Withonly a few possible drivers who were eligible to compete (this race was for theNAADA participants who didn’t earn enough points for the series finale) Warnercalled down to Freehold Raceway and asked John Calabrese if he’d be able tocome and drive in the race slated on Wednesday, November 2 at The Mighty M. And when Calabresesaid yes, it turned out to be a win-win situation for both him and theSullivan County oval.

The field went to post in the second race and when it was declared official,Calabrese won the event with Woody in a 2:00.1 clocking.

Perhapsthe fact that Woody had the pole position made it easier for Calabrese confirmthat he’d take the trip to Monticello, still it was a gracious gesture on hispart knowing that amateur drivers receive no remuneration for their efforts.

Alsobenefiting from Calabrese’s trip to drive Woody was the horse’s owner, WoodyHoblitzell, who got for him one of the more talented amateur drivers competingtoday.

Asaforementioned, Woody and Calabrese started from the pole position and they gotaway in fourth position, four lengths behind Come And Tell Pap (Bob Davis) whogot first call in the :29.2 first panel. With Davis’ charge on the leadCalabrese followed Paul Minore who moved Wygant Prince off the pylons and theywere one-two on the limb as the field headed to the halfway point.

Asthe field trotted to the three quarters Wygant Prince gained command with Woodyand Calabrese in hot pursuit. When they straightened for home Woody was thestrong horse and the Glidemaster a 6-year-old gelding, rallied to a 1-1/4-lengthvictory over Minore’s trotter to score his third victory of the season. ComeAnd Tell Pap hung on for the show dough.

Trainedby Bruce Aldrich, Sr., Woody paid $7.80 for win. And for Calabrese, he ishaving his best year since he began competing in amateur racing in 1991. Hisvictory was the 12th this year in 39 starts and considering his fiveseconds and three third place finishes, Calabrese owns a .405 UDR. this season.

OnSaturday night, November 5 the top eight point earners in the recently completedNAADA Series will battle in the $15,000 Final on the betting card at YonkersRaceway.