Exarch and driver Tony Verruso proved victorious — albeit narrowly — in a three-horse photo in Thursday afternoon's (April 15) North American Amateur Drivers Association trotting event at Monticello Raceway.
Verruso wasted no time with Exarch, sending him to the lead and parking last week's winner, Keystone Blade (Joe Pennacchio), through a stiff :28.3 quarter. The two continued to duel through splits of :58.1 and 1:28.2, and despite the field tightening through the final turn, Exarch held gamely to the lead and was able to rebuff a host of challengers. Approaching the finish line, Joe Lee rallied Madhatter Bluechip along the pylons, but missed Exarch's 1:59.1 standard by a neck. Keystone Blade hung tough to finish third, missing by just three-quarters of a length.
Sean Campbell trains Exarch, a six-year-old Cantab Hall gelding, for Fortune Valley Stables. Verruso, who has won 86 times in his career, is enjoying his best season to date in the sulky, having amassed four wins, two second-place finishes and five third-place finishes in just 16 starts.
(with files from NAADA)