“For those who are planning to start in the first leg at Monticello next week entries must be called into the Monticello Raceway race office by 9 a.m. on Monday, February 18,” noted NAADA President Joe Faraldo. “The track’s race office phone number is (845) 794-4100, extension 555 or 557.”

After the $4,000 Mighty M preliminary leg on Feb. 21 the series will move to Yonkers Raceway on Mar. 7. The legs at the Hilltop oval will go for $6,000.

This year the word “charity” has been inserted in NAADA’s Trotting Series because the events will also raise money for a worthwhile charity -- to be named in the near future -- as well as affording amateur drivers a chance to be competitive under battle conditions.

“Charity is nothing new for us,” Faraldo added. “We’ve been donating sizable amounts to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation for the past several years. Last season, from our trotting series races, we raised $12,000 and donated it to the JDF.”

All amateur drivers are eligible for the NAADA Charity Trotting Series, as long as they are or become a member of the North American Amateur Drivers Association, and that can be done by contacting Joe Faraldo (faral@thorn.net) or Alan Schwartz (CVCvl@aol.com).

Just as in the Billings Series, eligible amateur drivers can enter their trotter(s) in any and all preliminary legs, as long as their horse(s) meets the series conditions.

“Don’t forget, the (entry) box for the Monticello leg on Thursday, Feb. 21 closes this coming Monday (Feb. 18) at 9 a.m.,” Faraldo reiterated.