Amateurs battle at Monticello

Monticello, NY– Tony Verruso and Alan Schwartz each walked away with a victory in their respective $7500 NAADA harness racing trots at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday afternoon, March 30.

Verruso won with Jimmy Dean in 2:04 while Schwartz was victorious behind Awol Hanover in 2:02.1.

In his split last year’s Amateur Driver of the Year, Tony Verruso, sent Jimmy Dean to the lead when the wings of the mobile gate folded and they had command after the first quarter was trotted in :30.2. Once on the lead Verruso took no prisoners and led the field by the half in a soft 1:03.1 and was still comfortable on the front-end when he passed the three quarters in 1:33.3. But when he rounded the final turn he had company from Zagster (Matt Zuccarello) and Raceace (Alan Schwartz) and through the stretch the three trotters raced head to head to the finish line where a photo separated the three.

After the picture was developed it showed Jimmy Dean a head winner over Zagster in 2:04 with Raceace another head back in third place.

JIMMY DEAN REPLAY

The winner, Jimmy Dean is a 7-year-old Break The Bank K gelding owned by Nichole Webster-White and trained by Symon Spicer. He paid $10.40 for the win.

Verruso came close to another driving double when in the second NAADA division his Winneress got first call at the top of the lane but was overtaken by Alan Schwartz and Awol Hanover before the finish line camera snapped 2:02.1.

In that contest Bob Krivelin had Zooming in charge and before the half was trotted in 1:02.1 he went off-stride but quickly regained his gait.

However, when the field trotted by the third stanza Awol Hanover was in charge and as they headed for home Winneress got first call and the two veteran trotters battled all the way to the wire. At the finish Awol Hanover was a head winner over Winneress as the timer flashed 2:02.1. Zooming finished third for Bob Krivelin.

AWOL HANOVER REPLAY

Awol Hanover, an 8-year-old Donato Hanover gelding, is owned by Clifford Grundy and trained by Philip Bo Sowers. He paid $4.80 for the win.

For full race results, click here.

by John Manzi, for NAADA