Verruso victorious in Monticello NAADA Trot

MONTICELLO, N.Y.— Anthony Verruso converted a pocket trip into a harness racing victory in the lone $8,500 division of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trot at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday (July 15).

Verruso pushed from the pylon post towards the front but settled for a seat behind Cal Miles N Shell (driven by John Calabrese) rolling to a :28.4 first quarter. Even-money favorite Shake N Bake (Yogi Sheridan) raced stuck on the rim from third and remained wide through a :57.2 half before levelling off. Cal Miles N Shell meanwhile cruised to three-quarters in 1:26.3 with just Big Limo in reach, though Verruso livened his charge as they cornered for home. Big Limo recouped a two-length deficit on Cal Miles N Shell to collar the leader late for a length victory in a 1:57.3 mile while Reel Em In (Tony Ciuffetelli) chased from third and Communion Money (Scott Bako) closed for fourth.

BIG LIMO REPLAY

Veronica Spicer trains Big Limo, a 6-year-old gelding by What The Hill, for owner Peter Kleinhans. He paid $7.86 to win.

NAADA action resumes next Wednesday (July 22) at Monticello with the next leg of the club’s summer series. First-race post time at Monticello is 12:10 p.m. (EDT).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Ray Cotolo, for NAADA