Yonkers, NY – Mike Polansky and John Calabrese converted pocket rides into winner’s circle visits in the pair of $15,100 North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trots at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (April 2).
Polansky piloted Certify to a mild 5-1 upset in the first division of the NAADA Trot. He settled behind leader Windsong Pioneer (driven by Tony Beltrami) and strode comfortably along to a clip of :28.4, :59.4 and 1:30. Perron (Joe Lee) mounted a first-over challenge out of third moving to the final turn but stalled, leaving Polansky with ample room to angle Certify out of the pocket for a homestretch attack. Certify surged alongside Windsong Pioneer in the lane and edged by the leader late for a head victory in 2:00.4. Big Charlie Moran (John Calabrese) closed from last for third and Perron held fourth.
Michael Fiumenero owns and trains Certify, a 10-year-old gelding by Credit Winner. He paid $13.44 to win.
Calabrese later delivered 3-2 favorite Bontoni Degato S to a 2:00 win in the second NAADA Trot. Tracking a soft tempo of :28.4, :59.2 and 1:29 carved by second choice Swiss House Onfire (Yogi Sheridan), Bontoni Degato S swelled from the pocket spot and lifted with ease after the leader spinning for home. Calabrese slid to the front in the stretch and kicked away for a 1-1/4-length win over Swiss House Onfire while Ourmementntime (Helene Engblom) charged from last for third. Kilimanjaro NL (Joe Lee) gave chase from mid-pack for fourth.
Mark Ford trains Bontoni Degato S, an 8-year-old gelding by The Bank, for owners George and Rose Bonomo. He paid $5.08 to win.
NAADA action shifts to Monticello Raceway next Wednesday (April 8) for the fourth preliminary of the club’s spring series. First-race post time at Monticello is 12:10 p.m. (EDT).