MONTICELLO, N.Y.— Harness racing amateur driver Anthony Verruso ignited speed from Call Me Thefireman (Wishing Stone) and went the distance to take the $7,500 North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trot on Wednesday afternoon (June 21) at Monticello Raceway.
Leaving from post 3, Call Me Thefireman burst to a five-length lead towards a :28.1 first quarter with Reel Em In (driven by Robert Ciavardini) back in second. The field straggled through a :57.2 half as Call Me Thefireman continued freewheeling on the point. Reel Em In started reeling in the leader to three-quarters in 1:27.4 but ran out of track to the finish. Call Me Thefireman kept a half a length up on Reel Em In in a 1:59.2 mile with Racintowardadream (Alan Schwartz) another five lengths behind in third and Judge Ken (Jacob Stillwell) in fourth.
CALL ME THEFIREMAN REPLAY
Andrew Adamczyk trains Call Me Thefireman, a 7-year-old gelding for owner Anthony Verruso. He paid $8.60 to win.
NAADA action resumes next Thursday (June 29) at Yonkers Raceway for the fifth preliminary of its summer series. First-race post time at Yonkers is 7 p.m. (EDT).
For complete race results, click here.
by Ray Cotolo, for NAADA