A pair of seven-horse fields of trotters went to post tonight at Yonkers Raceway in the North American Amateur Drivers Association series which was presented before the betting card got underway.
When each event was declared official, a pair of Tonys emerged victorious; Tony Ciuffetelli won his split with Golden Kronos in 1:58.2 while Tony Verruso copped his division with Exarch in 1:59.2. Both horses used the front-end route to victory.
In his split Ciuffetelli sent Golden Kronos to the lead from the two-hole and they got first call at the quarter in :29 while keeping Karets and driver Joe Lee on the limb. They were one-two by the half and remained in those positions until the three quarters where Karets began to fade. At that point Golden Kronos and Ciuffetelli scooted away to a three-length lead as they headed for home and at the wire Golden Kronos was an eased-up 1-1/2 length winner over DWs Revenge who was driven by 17-year old Brett Beckwith. Five lengths behind the winner If I Must rambled home third best for Paul Minore.
In the other event hot-handed Tony Verruso notched his third victory in his last five starts when he gunned Exarch to the lead from the seven-hole.
“I was told he could and leave like a runner and when the gate sprung I let him ramble and we were in front before the (first)turn,” Verruso said. “Once there it was little more than catch-me-if-you can.”
They passed the first stanza in a swift :28.1 and they had two lengths on the field when they trotted by the half in :58.1.
“Bob (Davis-with Lucky June Bug) was the first to move on us but my horse easily kept him at bay and in the stretch we opened daylight and finished a 2-1/2 length winner,” Verruso added.
Lucky June Bug was second best while Jacks To Open took home the show dough for Nicole Dicostanza.
The NAADA series continues next Thursday at Monticello Raceway.
(NAADA)