Yonkers, NY — Sandra Kaufman, Chairman of the SOA of New York/Yonkers Raceway John R. Brennan Scholarship Committee, has announced that Kristina Verruso is the first prize winner of the 2021 Scholarship Award in the amount of $5,000.

The second place winner is Logan McKenzie in the amount of $3,000 and Ryan Fusco is the third place winner in the amount of $2,000.

Joe Faraldo, president of the SOA of NY, commented that this year’s award winners are the recipients of a scholarship named after a longtime good friend, horse trainer and SOA field rep John R. Brennan. We lost John to the COVID-19 virus and our hearts.

Kristina Verruso is currently attending CUNY Queens College. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Exercise with a minor in Health Sciences. Her father, Anthony Verruso, has been an amateur driver since 1999, a trainer since 2002 and has owned racehorses since 1993.

Logan McKenzie is currently enrolled at Brandeis University in Walham, Mass. He is pursuing a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration & Economics. His Father, Scott, has owned racehorses since 1993.

Ryan Fusco is currently enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. His father, Paul, has been a trainer and driver since 1991 and his mother, Robyn, has owned racehorses since 2008.

The annual SOA/Yonkers Raceway John R. Brennan scholarships are awarded to SOA members, members of their immediate families, covered individuals (backstretch personnel) or a member of their immediate families for study beyond the high school level. The recipient is chosen based on merit and financial need.

The applicants were judged first by an independent third party to produce the top five candidates. Then the Committee selected the top three winners from the five finalists. Personal information from all the candidates was redacted when presented to the independent party and the Committee to assure a blind judging process.