YONKERS, N.Y.— Harness racing driver James Slendorn powered first over with 6-5 chalk Hunting As (Lionhunter) and landed over the line first in a 2:02 mile to take lone $13,400 dash of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trot at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (Feb. 20).

Leaving from post 1, Slendorn sat third as 12-1 shot Hobbs (driven by Victoria Stratton) bolted for the lead to a :29.4 first quarter. Hobbs slowed the tempo to a 1:01.2 half, prompting Slendorn to tip off the pylons and send Hunting As after the pacesetter heading for the backstretch. Gaining slight ground through three-quarters in 1:31.2, Hunting As continued to grind after Hobbs through the turn and persisted through the stretch to down the leader late and pull clear to a length victory at the beam. Itsoneofthose (Andrew Adamczyk) grabbed a second-over tow late to take third and Lionhead (Yogi Sheridan) sat a pocket trip for fourth.

HUNTING AS REPLAY

Jenny Melander trains Hunting As, an 8-year-old gelding by Lionhunter, for owners Melander Racing Inc., Clark Stables LLC and Robert Bernaski. He paid $4.50 to win.

NAADA action continues next Thursday (Feb. 28) with the sixth preliminary of the club’s winter series. First-race post time at Yonkers is 7 p.m. (EST).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Ray Cotolo, for the NAADA