After being rained out last week two trotting divisions of the North American Amateur Drivers Association summer series was presented tonight at Yonkers Raceway and when judges hung the official signs Jake Stillwell and Joe Pennacchio emerged victorious in their respective $8,000 splits.
Stillwell scored 1:58.3 triumph with Dark Poole while Pennacchio reined Keystone Blade to a 1:57.1 triumph in their split. Both were non wagering events prior to the betting card getting underway
In the first event Stillwell sent Dark Poole to the lead from the two hole and they had command on the first turn and led their competition by the first quarter in :28.2. That speedy opening thwarted any early challenges and Stillwell coasted to the halfway point two lengths in front. Still comfortable by the third stanza in 1;28.2 only the margin of victory was in doubt as Dark Poole headed for paydirt. At the wire
Cinnamon Stick circled three-wide into the final turn and vaulted to victory in the $6,100 Open Trot on Wednesday afternoon (Jan. 27) at Monticello Raceway.
The six-year-old Jailhouse Jesse gelding rode the cover of Shoot The Thrill up the backstretch before driver Greg Merton pointed him three-wide into the final turn. From there, Cinnamon Stick slingshotted to a mid-stretch lead, edging clear of pocket rival Exarch (Ronnie Morales III) by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:59.4 for his first seasonal win. Pacesetter Sweet Royalty (Jimmy Devaux) finished third.
Greg Decker trains Cinnamon Stick, who paid $4.10 as the even money favourite, for Michael Mulligan.
The feature win capped a grand slam for Merton, who also drove Proudamericangirl (2:01.1, $5.10), Cee Pee Panic (1:58, $6.80) and OK Icon (1:59.2, $10.80) to victory.