Yonkers, NY — Matt Zuccarello recorded the first driving double of his career when he guided Checkmate Hill and Stealing to victory in their respective North American Amateur Drivers Association trotting events on a rainy Thursday evening (July 1) at Yonkers Raceway.

In the first event, Zuccarello sent Checkmate Hill to the lead from post six, and they controlled a :30 first quarter. Heading to the half, Joe Pennacchio moved P C Foreign Affair off the pylons and aimed to take command, however, Zuccarello kept his challenger on the limb, and they were noses apart up the backside and into the final turn.

“My horse hung tough. He rebuffed Pennacchio’s horse and still had enough to keep Joe Faraldo and Gemini Eddie at bay all the way to the wire,” Zuccarello explained.

Checkmate Hill won by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:59 for owner Roy Dobbins and trainer Dennis J. Laterza. P C Foreign Affair finished third.

In the other split, Zuccarello floated Stealing to fourth early before slowing beginning to work forward.

“My horse is a grinder, and with quick early fractions, we slowly worked our way forward,” Zuccarello explained. “And at the thee quarters, we were still a couple of lengths behind the pacesetter, Fiji (driven by Bob Krivelin). But when we rounded the final turn, my horse kept gaining ground…. We were heads apart when we crossed the finish line.”

Stealing, a 1:57.4 winner, narrowly beat Fiji in a photo finish. Third place went to Dark Pool and driver Jake Stillwell.

Stealing, a 5-year-old gelding, is trained by Dennis A. Laterza for Winner’s Circle Racing, John Campagnuolo and Latz A Luck Stable.