Verruso, Pennacchio win NAADA divisions

Yonkers, NY—Two harness racing divisions of trotters in the current North American Amateur Drivers Association series went to post at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night and when the judges declared each event official Tony Verruso and Joe Pennacchio had won their respective $8,000 splits. Verruso scored behind his own Winneress in 1:59 while Penncchio was victorious with P C Foreign Affair in 1:59.2. Both races were non-wagering events.

Verruso, who is enjoying his greatest season in the sulky, grabbed leather when the gate sprung and settled in behind Judge Ken (Scott Keppler) and was content to follow the leader by the first stanza in 28.4. He was still on Keppler’s back as Judge Ken zipped by the halfway point in :58.4 and was still there when Judge Ken tripped the three quarter timer in 1:28.2.

As the leader rounded the final turn and headed for home Verruso hustled Winneress (Credit Winner) alongside and then wore him down before the final timer flashed 1:59. Judge Ken was second and Gemini Eddie (Joe Faraldo) garnered the show dough.

It was Verruso’s 12th driving victory this season which bolsters a .505 UDR.

In the other split Pennacchio left the gate slowly from the 5-hole with P C Foreign Affair (Cornaro Dasolo) and followed cover as Scott Keppler showed the way with Inukchuck Chuck.

PC Foreign Affair was a second -over fifth at the half and continued forward movement until he was second at the three quarters.

When they straightened for home P C Foreign Affair put it in another gear and drew off to 2-1/2 length victory. Inukchuck Chuck held on for second money and Grafenberg finished third for Joe Faraldo.

P C Foreign Affair is owned by Joe P Racing, LLC of Florida.

For full race results, click here.

by John Manzi, for NAADA