Monticello, NY—On the cold and rainy afternoon of Wednesday April 15 racing fans in New York's Sullivan County Catskills racing fans were treated to an action-packed trot of amateur drivers in the third race on the betting card that day. By all means it was a very exciting and competitive event which resulted in a tight three- horse photo.
When the judges reviewed the picture, Exarch and
driver Tony Verruso, emerged victorious by a neck in 1:59.1 over Madhatter Blue
(Joe Lee) with Keytstone Blade (Joe Pennacchio) another neck back in third.
Last week's winner, Keystone Blade was parked to
the quarter and then found room along the pylons but he didn't have that same
option this week because when Pennecchio gunned him away from the gate there
were no holes this time and Verruso wouldn't yield command while Joe Lee and
others worked hard at keeping Keystone Blade on the limb.
So Exarch showed the a by the quarter in a stiff
:28.3 and those behind him closed all holes not allowing Pennacchio to find any
room down along the pylons.
Verruso and Pennacchio's chares were still heads
apart as they trotted by the half in :58.1. And they were still one-two as they
passed the three quarters in 1:28.2. But at this point the field tightened as
the trailers moved closer to the front. But in spite of Exarch getting a bit
leg weary he hung gamely to the lead and was able to rebuff all late
challenges.
As the field approached the finish line Joe Lee
rallied Madhatter Blue Chip down along the pylons and a very game Keystone
Blade hung tough to finish three quarters of a length behind the winner.
Exarch, a 6-year-old Cantab Hall gelding, is owned
by Fortune Valley Stables and trained by Sean Campbell.
Verruso is enjoying his best season in the sulky
already with 4 wins, 2 seconds and 5 thirds in just 16 starts for a .424 UDR.
He now has 86 career driving victories.
