by John Manzi for the American Harness Drivers Club
Wilkes Barre, Pa.--Tony Verruso and Slated To Win prevailed
after a tough stretch duel and turned back Zooming and driver Steve
Oldford to win the $11,000 American Harness Drivers Club trot today at the
Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
With the field reduced to six starters Verruso sent Slated
To Win to lead when ther wings of the mobile gate folded and they raced
unchallenged and led their competition by the quarter in :28.0 withTony
Beltrami and Shared Interest A tight on Verruso's back. They were
still one-two as they trotted by the half in .58.1 but up the backside
Beltrami's trotter tired which left Zooming and driver Steve Oldford a
shot at the leader.
When the field passed the third stanza Zooming was
gaining on the leader and when they headed for home a stretch duel ensued
with Slated To Win and Zooming side-by-side all the way to the wire. But
when the judges finally posted the order of finish Verruso breathed a shy of
relief. Third place went to the race favorite Crazycat who driven by Bob
Krivelin
"I figured if I sent my horse to the lead in
this short field it would be our best chance to win but as we neared
the finish line I had second thoughts, " Verruso said. "It was so
tight that when the judges posted my (horse's) number first I felt
redeemed."
The race winner,a 5-year-old Uncle Peter gelding, is owned
by George Beck and trained by Syman Spicer. He paid $12.40 for the win.
