Yonkers, NY – Peter Kleinhans and Yogi Sheridan delivered a pair of favorites to the winner’s circle in their respective $13,100 divisions of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) trots at MGM Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (Feb. 19).
Kleinhans brushed forward with 8-5 favorite Big Limo and stomped his rivals for a victory in 2:01. After parking through early splits of :29.3 and :59.4, Big Limo pushed up the rim and overhauled tempo-setter Kameran Hanover (driven by Joe Lee) on the second circuit. Kameran Hanover pulled from the pocket heading to three-quarters in 1:30.1 and pressed Big Limo all through the last turn but gave way spinning for home, leaving Big Limo to stride comfortably to a 2-1/4-length win. Sd Eliminator (Anthony Verruso) slipped through on a ground-saving trip to take second from Kameran Hanover while Bar Keep De Vie (Dawn Anderson) came from second-over for fourth.
Veronica Spicer trains Big Limo, a 6-year-old gelding by What The Hill, for owner Peter Kleinhans. He paid $5.48 to win.
Yogi Sheridan later landed 7-5 chalk Mr Contestant to victory in a 2:00.2 mile. Sheridan stalked the speed carved by Southwind Mac (Bob Hechkoff) from third and stayed put after a :28.4 first quarter. Southwind Mac then hit the brakes to a 1:00.2 half and continued unfettered on the point until Psalmsfortysixfive (Scott Keppler) angled out of the pocket. Mr Contestant zipped into the pocket approaching three-quarters in 1:30.1 and followed intently as Psalmsfortysixfive battled Southwind Mac in the turn. Spinning for home, Southwind Mac drifted off the pylons, opening enough room for Mr Contestant to gather speed and bolt through to clinch the win by a half-length. Southwind Mac settled for second with Psalmsfortysixfive finishing third and Haloa (Helene Engblom) took fourth.
Peter Pellegrino trains Mr Contestant, an 11-year-old gelding by Winning Mister, for owner Room4040 LLC Stables. He paid $4.82 to win.
NAADA action continues with the final preliminary for the club’s winter trotting series next Thursday (Feb. 26). First-race post time at Yonkers is 6:45 p.m. (EST).