Anthony Verruso took his rivals pillar to post to win the $10,000 North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) preliminary at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday, Sept. 21.
Leaving from post three, Verruso secured the lead with Call Me Thefireman while keeping 6-5 favourite By A Hoff Hanover (James Slendorn) parked to a :29 first quarter. By A Hoff Hanover remained hung on the rim through a :59.4 half and to three-quarters in 1:29.4 before losing ground through the final turn. Call Me Thefireman spun for home on a two-length lead, which dwindled as Keystone Apache (Bob Hechkoff) took his shot out of the pocket through the lane to just miss, beaten a head, in a 2:00.3 mile. Cyclone Maximus (Scott Keppler) finished third but was disqualified to fourth, elevating By A Hoff Hanover to third.
Andrew Adamczyk conditions Call Me Thefireman, a seven-year-old gelding by Wishing Stone. Verruso owns the trotter.
Off as the second choice at 2-1, he paid $6.80 to win.
NAADA action is slated to continue next Wednesday, Sept. 27 at Monticello Raceway for the sixth preliminary of the Fall Trotting Series. First-race post time at Monticello is 12:10 p.m. (EDT).
(With files from NAADA)