Monticello, NY — The final two races in the Italy-NAADA friendship competition were contested at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 6) and when the shouting was over NAADA’s Alan Schwartz and Chris Doherty each emerged victorious in their respective splits.

Schwartz won his with We’re Gonna Rock in 2:01.2 while Doherty copped his division with Machmemackie in 2:00.1.

It was the first time that NAADA has swept all four races in an international competition on American soil. Perhaps that both races were for pacers gave NAADA an advantage since only trotting events are contested in Italy.

Sent off as the 3-5 betting favorite, Schwartz decided to find a hole when the gate sprung and he did in fifth position along the pylons, a position he held until he moved first up at the half as Monica Banca showed the way with Ryans Mistress.

It wasn’t until they reached the three-quarters that We’re Gonna Rock had the leader in sight. And when they headed for home Schwartz only tapped the wheel discs and shouted at his steed and little-by-little We’re Gonna Rock began gaining ground on Ryans Mistress. And at the wire it took a photo to determine that Schwartz’s charge was victorious by a half-length while Italy’s Enrico Colombino garnered the show dough with Local Art.

The winner, a 6-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven mare is owned by Twin Bridge Racing and trained by Frank Yanoti. She paid $3.30 for win.

Young Christopher Doherty was joyous after his victory with Machmemackie. And he should have been. After all, it was his first driving victory this year and only the third of his career.

“We got off to a good start, and with some confusion behind me, we had a four length lead at the quarter,” Doherty related. “But we were never in any trouble throughout the entire mile.

Even when Relentless Dreamer, driven by Italy’s Michele Bechis, looked Machmemackie in the eye at the three-quarters Doherty said he still had plenty of horse. That proved correct, when on the final turn Doherty’s charge began to draw away from his challengers and went on to a 2-3/4 length victory over Relentless Dreamer. Despite a covered two-hole trip the entire way in the deep stretch, Yankee Devil, in rein to Enrico Colombino, could do no better than a third place finish.

A recent purchase by trainer Jim Doherty Jr. and John Sartori, Machmemackie paid $8.10.