by John Manzi, for NAADA
Yonkers, NY — When Alan Schwartz claimed Ladys Big Stormont for $12,500 in early July of last season he knew he was purchasing a quality trotter and after owning the Earl Of Stormont gelding for over 1-1/2 years the trotter has returned his purchase price ‘four fold’.
Tonight (Dec. 1) at Yonkers Raceway, in the $15,000 NAADA Trotting Series final, Schwartz and his trusty steed kept all comers at bay and went on to score a neck triumph over Wygant Prince and driver Paul Minore in 2:00. Another neck behind the leaders in third place was Peter Kleinhans and Toss Cartwright
After starting from the five-hole Schwartz sent Ladys Big Stormont toward the front as the wings of the mobile gate folded, but Dave Yarock had the same idea with Mr Ridgetaker and they gained command midway around the first turn. Schwartz and Ladys Big Stormont then settled in along the pylons in third position directly behind Pail Minore’s Wygant Prince and the three trotters raced in file order past the first stanza in :28.4
Yarock then led the field by the halfway point in :59.4 and although Schwartz was anxious he waited until they straightened up the backside to move Ladys Big Stormont.
“When I pulled him he shot up alongside Yarock’s trotter and we raced head to head to the three-quarters and around the final turn and we finally cleared to the lead as we headed down the homestretch,” Schwartz related.
But trouble was coming when Minore moved Wygant Prince to the passing lane and Kleinhans rallied Toss Cartwright on the outside and the three trotters charged side by side for paydirt
“My horse was real gritty and he turned back the challengers and we held on for a neck victory over Paul’s trotter. Peter’s horse finished third ,” Schwartz said.
To say that Ladys Big Stormont is currently at the top of his game would be an understatement. In his last eight races the venerable trotter has five wins and three seconds and for the season Ladys Big Stormont reached the winners circle 11 times. Add that to 10 seconds and four thirds and the 6-year-old Earl of Stormont gelding raised his seasonal earnings to over $55,000.