Yonkers, NY — Decorated amateur driver Alan Schwartz visited a winner’s circle for the 634th time in his career when he guided his own Raceace to a gate-to-wire, 1:58.3 victory over Dark Pool in Thursday’s (May 19) $15,000 North American Amateur Driving Association Spring Series final, held at Yonkers Raceway.

“We cut all the fractions and it was real close at the wire, but Raceace hung on for a nose victory,” said a cheerful Schwartz after the race. “And a nose is good as a mile.”

Schwartz sent his trotter to the lead from post four to clear Pilgrim Caviar (Joe Lee) control fractions of :29.1 and :59.4 before being joined by the first-over Dark Pool (John Calabrese) nearing three-quarters in 1:29. They were neck and neck around the final turn and all the way to the wire, and the pair were seemingly inseparable at race’s end.

“When we passed the finish wire, I thought we had won it, but Calabrese wasn’t sure,” Schwartz said. “It was so close that we milled around and waited for the judges’ call, and … they posted our number.”

The official margin separating Raceace and Dark Pool was a head. Pilgrim Caviar finished third.

Schwartz owns and trains the winner, a 6-year-old Yankee Glide gelding.