by John Manzi, for the NAADA

Monticello, NY — The first leg of this year’s North American Amateur Drivers Association’s three-track Spring Trotting Series kicks off on Thursday (April 5) at Yonkers Raceway with two non-wagering divisions going to post prior to the betting card getting underway.

Beginning at 6 p.m., the first of the two short field trots will go to post followed immediately by the second split. The first division has five horses while the second is a six-horse field.

Eligible drivers are, and must be, members of NAADA and nearly all are also members of the C.K.G. Billings Series.

Bob Krivelin, fresh off his 2:01 triumph with Ace High Hall in a Billings Series preliminary at Freehold Raceway on March 29, will be the one to beat in the second of the two splits when they start from the five hole. Tremendous Hit and Robert Hechkoff, who’ll leave from the coveted pole position, may dispute the previous statement.

In the first division, Billings president Tony Verruso has his own Sam’s Honey ready for action after being scratched last week at Freehold and they can expect a serious challenge from Mike Weiner and Black Watch who’ll leave from post two.

On Thursday (April 12) the series moves to Monticello Raceway with the third track, Freehold Raceway, not getting involved until early May.

The NAADA Trotting Series will continue on consecutive Thursdays, culminating with a $12,000 final at Yonkers Raceway on May 17. The drivers who earned the most points in the six-race series will be eligible to the series finale.