by John Manzi, for the NAADA

Monticello, NY — The North American Amateur Drivers Association will conduct a Monticello and Yonkers Raceway two-track trotting series beginning on March 31 and culminating in a series final and consolation in early May.

Three legs will be contested at Monticello Raceway on the dates of March 31, April 14 and April 28 while Yonkers Raceway will host preliminary legs on April 7 and April 21. The series consolation will be at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday, May 4, while Yonkers Raceway will offer the series Final on Thursday, May 5.

Preliminary legs at Monticello Raceway will be raced for $3,000 purses while the Yonkers prelims will go for $4,000 each. A $4,000 purse is offered for the consolation at the Mighty M and the final at Yonkers will race for $12,000.

Since it’s being sponsored by NAADA, only amateur drivers will be allowed to race in the series. Competing reinsmen will earn points — by the European Point System — depending upon their finishes in each contest and at the end of the series those tops in points will earn a berth in the final. The next tier in points will be eligible to race in the consolation.

“Drivers must conduct themselves in a proper gentlemanly manner and consider that we are being afforded a place to race for purse money and are guests of the racetracks,” said Joe Faraldo, president of NAADA. “A driver must have started at least twice in the series to be eligible for preference to race in the final and all participants are urged to enter the final regardless of the number of starts they may have had in the series.”

A $50 starting fee will be imposed for drivers competing in the preliminary races while those in the consolation will pay $75 to start. A $100 fee is due from drivers who will compete in the final.

The series is open to paid-up members of the North American Amateur Drivers Association. The membership cost to join NAADA is $150 and anyone who is not a member of NAADA will not be able to drive in this two-track trotting series.

“As a result of the cooperation of the racetrack managements at both Monticello and Yonkers we will once again get the opportunity to have amateurs compete at these venues and use the money generated from the participants to help a worthwhile charitable cause,” Faraldo added. “Last year these events raised money for the Richard Ingrassia Memorial Fund and ended the year drawing a $5,000 check to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. NADDA is pleased to foster the goals of amateur racing and also support worthwhile charities in the process.”

Similar to the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Trotting series the NAADA series has special conditions for horses to be eligible for the event.

For further information, or to become a member of NAADA, applicants are urged to contact Joe Faraldo, c/o NAADA, 125-10 Queens Blvd., Kew Gardens, NY 11415. Or call him at 718.544.6800.