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Friday, May 18, 2012

NAADA - TONY VERRUSO WINS $12,000 NAADA TROTTING SERIES FINAL

by john manzi for NAADA

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.”