After a series of preliminary legs at Monticello, Freehold
and Yonkers Raceways the North American Amateur Drivers Association’s
Three-Track Trotting Series culminated in a $12,000 Final at
Yonkers Raceway on Thursday, May 17th.
The race, which was comprised of the drivers who
earned the most points in the preliminaries, saw Tony Verruso work
himself a good journey by taking advantage of racing luck and then
rally to a two length triumph in a 2:00 clocking with Sam’s Honeybee.
Peter Gerry and Drill Sergeant Sam grabbed the
racetrack on the first turn and then contended with a
challenge from Dave Yarock and Rompaway Alvin, which continued as a
head-to- head battle all the way to the final turn before both trotters
tired.
Knowing that Gerry wasn’t going to allow Yarock to take command,
as the field approached the half Verruso moved his trotter Sam’s
Honeybee up behind Yarock in two-horse position which resulted in a great
journey from there on.
Gerry and Yarock were still going at it as the field passed
the three quarters but as the leaders rounded the final turn trouble came their
way. Both Drill Sergeant Sam and Rompaway Alvin tired which allowed Verruso to
slip three-deep and trot home an easy winner. Tremendous Hit and Bob
Hechkoff came from sixth at the top of the lane to finish second
and George Newell and Winterleebrook ended-up with the show dough.
Verruso, who was fifth in points during the prelims, took
advantage of the developments in the race.
“My mare has been better in her last few starts and I
figured if she stayed flat we’d have a good chance. But when I moved up behind
Yarock I got lucky and his horse (Rompaway Alvin) carried me all the way to the
top of the stretch,” Verruso explained. “ I ended-up with a picture perfect
trip and when I showed Sam (Sam’s Honey Bee) daylight she trotted on and
we won it easily.”
It was the second seasonal win for both the horse and the
driver and for Verruso it marked his 42nd amateur driving victory.
Sam’s Honeybee is owned by Verruso and trained by Carl
Gillespie.
Standing watching the race with a large stogie in his mouth
NAADA president Joe Faraldo was pleased with his organization’s spring trotting
series.
”This was the first time our series had races at three
different racetracks and everyone drove as professionally as one could
expect,” Faraldo related. “The entire series was very competitive and
once again we accrued money. We will again (accrue money) during our fall
series and after it is completed we will make our annual donation to a worthwhile
charity.”
