Monticello, NY – Joe Lee led every step of the way and Tony Ciuffetelli stormed from the back of the pack to win their respective $8,500 divisions of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) trots at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday (May 20).
Lee bagged the first division with a pillar-to-post win by 8-1 shot Woodside Genius in a 1:59.4 mile. Lee pocketed pylon starter Southside Bar (driven by Yogi Sheridan) moving to a :31 first quarter and cruised to a 1:01.2 half with pressure arriving from first-over Psalmsfortysixfive (Scott Keppler). Keppler’s charge made mild progress up the rim moving to three-quarters in 1:30.2 but stalled heading into the last turn, forcing 9-5 favorite Doo Wop Kid (Alan Schwartz) to swing three wide from second-over. Woodside Genius meanwhile kicked comfortably for the finish to win by 1 length over Southside Bar with Doo Wop Kid finishing level in third and Certify (Mike Polansky) taking fourth from a ground-saving trip.
Gary Messenger trains Woodside Genius, a 6-year-old gelding by Dover Dan, for owners Brenda Messenger and Scott Woogen. He paid $18.74 to win.
Tony Ciuffetelli took the other NAADA division with a strong late brush by Reel Em In to win in a 1:59.4 mile. Ciuffetelli floated into fifth while My Secret Ability (Joe Lee) protected position from the pylon post to push for the lead into a :30 first quarter. My Secret Ability maintained his speed to a :59.3 half, at which point 7-5 favorite Brave By Design (Yogi Sheridan) angled off the pylons from third to make an uncovered push towards the leader. Brave By Design parked up the backside while Reel Em In swelled, prompting Ciuffetelli to fire his charge three wide rolling to three-quarters in 1:29.3. Reel Em In gradually reeled in leader My Secret Ability through the last turn and slid past him in the lane to register a 1-3/4-length win. Brave By Design took third, another three lengths behind, with Baby Tao (Scott Keppler) taking fourth via placing from a pylon disqualification.
Scott Jensen trains Reel Em In, a 9-year-old gelding by Crazed, for owner Anthony Mazzeo. He paid $6.88 to win.
The NAADA Spring Series now moves to its $20,000 final next Thursday, May 28, at Yonkers Raceway. A consolation is also scheduled at Monticello Raceway for next Friday, May 29. First-race post time at Yonkers is 6:45 p.m. (EDT).