On Monday (Sept. 30) at Woodbine Mohawk Park, amateur driver Tony Verruso made a 24-1 shot look like an odds-on favourite when he guided Mister Of All to a 1:56.3 win during Billings Series action.
Now with five victories, eight seconds and one third along with a .337 UDR in 29 seasonal starts, Verruso now finds himself in the running for National Amateur Driver of the Year south of the border.
Mister Of All started from Post 8 in his Monday assignment, but that didn't deter Verruso from sending his steed out to seek a position along the pylons in the first turn. No 'holes' were to be found, so Verruso kept his charge marching for the lead after being on the outside through the :27.3 opening quarter.
Mister Of All took command and led his competition by four lengths as he trotted by the halfway point in :57.1 With the pedal to the metal, Verruso kept after his trotter and they had five lengths on the field as they passed the three quarters in 1:26.4. Although Mister Of All's strides began to shorten as he headed down the long homestretch, he had enough in the tank to score a one and a half-length victory.
The winner, owned by Robert Key paid $51.50.
East Region Billing action will continue on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 3) at Monticello Raceway.
(With files from the Billings Series)