Minore and 'Mufasa' commanding in NAADA Fall Series Final

YONKERS, N.Y.— Paul Minore planted Mufasa As (Lionhunter) on the point and took his harness racing peers pillar to post in the $20,000 North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Fall Series Final at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (Nov. 21).

Leaving from post 3, Minore secured the lead in the field scratched to five before a :30.1 first quarter and endured first-over pressure following from Buzz (driven by Andrew Adamczyk), who plugged forward on the rim while recovering from a break after the start. Buzz stalled in the death seat after a 1:01.2 half but stayed to apply slight flanking pressure on the march to three-quarters in 1:31.1.

Mufasa As remained on the muscle off the soft tempo and spun for home to hold a 1-1/4-length advantage at the end of a 2:01.4 mile. Bacardi (Bruce Baker) sat a pocket trip for second while Ima Standup Guy (Joe Faraldo) saved ground to take third. Buzz settled for fourth and Winneress (Anthony Verruso) checked in last of the five.

Mark Ford owns and trains Mufasa As, an 8-year-old gelding.

The NAADA Fall Series Final was contested as a non-betting race prior to the pari-mutuel card.

For race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Ray Cotolo, for NAADA