by John Manzi, for the NAADA and Catskill Amateur Club

Monticello, NY — The North American Amateur Drivers Association’s 10-week trotting series kicked-off Thursday (June 18) at Monticello Raceway with two divisions on the 11-race card. Hannah Miller copped the first with Lou Lous Princess while Bob Hechkoff won the second with No Recess. Also on the program was a Catskill Amateur Club pace which went to Dirty Devil, driven by Steve Oldford.

Geri Schwarz photo

Hannah Miller guided Lou Lous Princess to a head victory in a 2:01.3 clocking.

Hannah Miller, last year’s National Amateur Driver of the Year, continued on her winning ways when she guided Lou Lous Princess to a head victory in a 2:01.3 clocking in the first NAADA split.

With the field heading to the halfway point Miller moved Lou Lous Princess first-up in front of Samsawinner and driver Joe Lee who was looking for cover and the two continued on an overland trip.

“I moved in front of Joe’s horse as we headed to the half and although the pace was slow I wondered if that was the best move,” Miller said. “Up the backside we were head and head with the leader (Swift Blizzard) and I figured if we could clear before the turn we’d be OK. And we did. In the stretch my mare was real game and fought off all challenges to win it.”

John Kokinos used the passing lane to rally for second money with Cassa’s Image. Samsawinner took home the show dough.

Owned and trained by Hannah’s dad, Erv Mller, Lou Lous Princess paid $4.90 for win.

In the other NAADA trot Bob Hechkoff drove No Recess like the 1-2 shot he was on the tote board. They took no prisoners and they made every pole a winning one en route to a 1:59.2 triumph despite losing his whip in the lane. They turned back Tony Ciuffetelli’s Aventure. Third place in that trotting contest went to Fox Valley Steffen in rein to John Kokinos.

“He’s a nice horse,” Hechkoff said in the paddock after his driving victory. “He’s so versatile and now he’s getting back to last year’s form when he won nine races and over $46,000.”

Sent off as the odds-on favorite, No Recess returned a $2.80 win mutuel. He’s owned by Kyle Spagnola and Hechkoff’s RBH Ventures. Spagnola doubles as the horse’s trainer.

As if amateur racing wasn’t competitive enough as an added bonus in their current 10-week trotting set, the North American Amateur Drivers Association is offering an all-inclusive paid trip to race in New Zealand later this year. The lucky finalist will be drawn from the top three point earners in the series.

Also on the Thursday card was a Catskill Amateur Club pace which saw Steve Oldford rally Dirty Devil to a come-from-behind victory over the pacesetter, Shark Treasure, driven by Gerry Fielding, in a time of 1:58.2.

“He’s a big guy and we just bought him last week,” Oldford said referring to Dirty Devil. “Today as we headed for home there were five of us across the track and although I thought we had a good chance of winning it I wasn’t sure, especially since he (Dirty Devil) was 0 for 16 this year.”

Off the schnied and now one for 17 this season, Dirty Devil is owned by Oldford Racing LLC. He paid $9.90 for win.

The NAADA Trotting Series will continue on Thursdays at Monticello Raceway.