Chester, PA — Tony Verruso, driving Masster Blue, and Tony Beltrami, driving Shared Interest A, won their respective $9,200 American Harness Drivers Club trots on Sunday (Nov. 28) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

Verruso, who is making a charge for Amateur Driver of the Year honors, notched his 23rd seasonal driving victory when he guided Masster Blue to a come-from-behind 1:58 win in the second AHDC event on the program.

Sent away at 7-1 odds from post two, Verruso was content to follow the leaders as Bob Hechkoff showed the way with River Otter. When Hechkoff’s trotter began to labor around the final turn, Verruso charged to the lead with Masster Blue headed for home. At that point, Tony Beltrami had Dark Pool in high gear, and they rallied from fifth to just miss Masster Blue by a half length. Crews Hilltopper and Bob Krivelin were third best, three lengths in arrears.

Masster Blue, who is owned and trained by John Novello, paid $16.60 to win.

In the earlier division, Tony Beltrami sent favorite Shared Interest A immediately to the lead, and they then played “catch me if you can.” Since no once could, Beltrami cruised to a 3-1/4-length, 1:57.3 win over Lionhead and driver Melissa Arbia. If I Must and driver Paul Minore finished third.

Edwin Quevedo trains Shared Interest A, who paid $5.00 to win, for the Triple Q Stables.