By
john manzi for NAADA
For
the first time in decades the NAADA winter/spring trotting series finally
received enough entrants to present a consolation final when seven drivers who
didn’t make the top eight in points for eligibility in the series finale,
obtained mounts for the $5000 series consolation today (Wed., April 6) at
Monticello Raceway. And when the judges hung the official sign Tony Verruso
emerged victorious after he guided his
own Sam’s Honeybee to a 2:02.2 victory.
“Initially
I wasn’t thrilled about not making the Final but as it worked out maybe it was
a blessing in disguise,” Verruso said in
the drivers room after the race.
“I
raced my mare in all the series legs but we were outclassed and failed to earn
enough points for eligibility in that $15,000 Final tomorrow at Yonkers
(Raceway), so winning this (consolation) gave us a bigger payday than we
probably would have earned in the series finale.”
But
winning todays consolation at Monticello Raceway wasn’t an easy task for 19-1
Sam’s Honeybee. But a cool heads-up drive by Verruso showed why he’s one of the
most talented amateur drivers on he circuits today.
When
the race began the three inside horses went off-stride on the first turn and
the field scattered to avoid complications.
“I
skirted breaking horses by weaving in and out and finally settling in along the
pylons in fourth (position) as we headed
to the quarter pole,” Verruso explained.
Monica
Banca, with Pixel Queen cleared the confusion on the first turn as did Bob
Davis and Swift Blizzard but it was the lady who showed the way.
Verruso
was the first to move as the field trotted by the half and into the clubhouse
turn. Up the backside Sam’s Honeybee was gaining on Pixel Queen but Ms Banca
and her charge still had command as they rounded the final turn and headed for
paydirt.
In
the lane Sam’s Honeybee was the strong horse as she trotted around Pixel Queen
and on to a one length victory. Swift Blizzard held off a fast closing Bad I Am
(Jim Marshall IV) for the show dough.
Sams
Honeybee, trained by Carl Gillispie, paid $40.80 for win. For Verruso, who is the president of the CKG
Billings Series, it was his 61st driving victory.
