Schwartz scored behind his own
Iroquouindianmagic in a time of 2:01.1 while Verruso and his
trotting mare, Sam’s Honeybee, won in 2:02.3.
After getting away slowly in their split, Schwartz and
Iroquouindianmagic were still in sixth place at the halfway point and with a
come from behind rush they nailed the pace-setter Tremendous Hit, driven
and driver by Bob “The Headhunter” Hechkoff, by a head a 2:01.1 clocking. Third
place went to the recently completed NAADA Trotting Series Final
winner, Whatnblazes , driven by Dave “Yes It’s True” Offenberg while
Winterleebrook was fourth for “Coach Paul” Minore
“I always have to nurse him (Iroquouindianmagic) away from
the (starting) gate and around the first turn which is often puts us at a
disadvantage because we always have to come from behind,” Schwartz said after
his winning drive.” But thankfully he finishes strong and today was no
exception.”
Sixth at the halfway point and out and moving
Iroquouindianmagic began picking up horses as the field headed to the third
stanza.
“We were third at that point and still some three
lengths behind the leaders but when we turned for home, as he always does
, “Magic” gives a strong finishing kick and today it took us to victory again.
You know, he won two of his last three (races) the same way as he did today,.”
Schwartz explained.
As second choice in the eight-horse field Iroquouindianmagic
scored his fourth seasonal triumph. He paid $7.00 for win.
The second Billings division nearly aped the first one when
Sam’s Honeybee and “the Capo” sat near the back of the pack for the
first three quarters and then rallied from five lengths off at the top of
the lane to score a head victory over Harvey “Doc” Stein and Make it Hot in a
time of 2:02.3. Third place saw Tony Ciuffetelli hustle Drill
Sergeant three -deep on the final turn to finish third a length
ahead of “Bullet Bob” Davis with Dancin Thea.
“We were charging at the end and I think we caught Doc
(on the lead with pace-setter Make It Hot) in the final strides,” Verruso said.
“She raced real well last week at Yonkers when she closed strongly
to finish a close third in 2:00 but today ‘Sam’ was able to handle this
field. She’s a nice mare and always stays at her business. She’s just a
pleasure to drive.”
Sent off as the second choice in the wagering despite
having to start from the seven hole, Sam’s Honey Bee scored her third
seasonal victory and paid $8.70 for win.
Next up in Billings action is a 10-horse trot carded as the
first race at Scioto Downs on Friday (June 7).
Also on the card was the second preliminary in the Catskill
Amateur Club’s Pacing Series and for the second consecutive week. Monica Banca
and Thunder Seelster made a laugher of the contest when she and her
pacer ran away to an oh-so-easy 11- length triumph over Yellow Brick Road and
driver Frank Macedonio in a 1:57.4 clocking.
