Yonkers, NY — The eighth leg of the North American Amateur Drivers’ Association Spring Trotting Series was contested over the half-mile oval at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday evening (May 2). When the results were finalized, last year’s Amateur Driver of the Year, Joe Lee, emerged victorious over six others when he guided Soul Train to a wire-to-wire victory in 1:58.2.

In the non-betting affair, Lee sent his charge to the lead and took command after Paul Minore grabbed leather on Wygant Prince as the first stanza timer flashed :28.4. Once on the lead, Lee kept the pedal to the metal and led his competition by the half in :59.3 with Wygant Prince in hot pursuit.

As the field headed up the backside, Joe Faraldo moved Tough Get Going off the pylons and challenged Soul Train for the lead. But Lee’s trotter was up the the challenge and kept Soul Train at bay as they passed the three-quarters in 1:28.3. At that point, Brett Beckwith, who was sixth along the pylons, came calling with Dark Pool. Although they were charging in the lane, they ran out of racetrack and had to settle for second money. Tough Get Going hung on for third.

Soul Train won for the third time this season, raising his seasonal bankroll to over $20,000 and his career earnings to $418,000. The 8-year-old Trainforthefuture gelding is co-owned by Lee along with Blindswitch Racing, Good Friends Stable and Santo Farina.

Lee, who is the clubhouse manager for the New York Yankees, vaulted to the lead in series points. With just two legs remaining, he has locked up a chance to draw for an all-expense paid trip to Italy to race against his Italian counterparts later this year.

The series’ ninth leg will be contested at Monticello Raceway on Thursday, May 9.