Verruso wires them in NAADA Trot

YONKERS, N.Y.— Anthony Verruso took his harness racing rivals pillar to post to win the $10,000 North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) preliminary at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (Sept. 21).

Leaving from post 3, Verruso secured the lead with Call Me Thefireman (Wishing Stone) while keeping 6-5 favorite By A Hoff Hanover (driven by James Slendorn) parked to a :29 first quarter. By A Hoff Hanover remained hung on the rim through a :59.4 half and to three-quarters in 1:29.4 before losing ground through the final turn. Call Me Thefireman spun for home on a two-length lead which dwindled as Keystone Apache (Bob Hechkoff) took his shot out of the pocket through the lane to just miss, beaten a head. Cyclone Maximus (Scott Keppler) finished third but was disqualified to fourth, elevating By A Hoff Hanover to third.

Andrew Adamczyk conditions Call Me Thefireman, a 7-year-old gelding by Wishing Stone, for owner Anthony Verruso. Off the second choice at 2-1, he paid $6.80 to win.

NAADA action is slated to continue next Wednesday (Sept. 27) at Monticello Raceway for the sixth preliminary of the Fall Trotting 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