Freehold, NJ — Recently named the winner of the 2021 USHWA Amateur Driver of the Year award, Tony Verruso picked up Saturday (Jan. 1) right where he left off last year as he reined Masster Blue to a 2:02.1 victory over a muddy track in the $9,000 AHDC trot at Freehold Raceway.

“The track was wet and I got away slowly and trailed the field by six lengths at the quarter in :31,” Verruso said. “So I pulled first-up where the footing was a little better and headed for the front.”

Verruso and Masster Blue cleared to the lead up the backside and got first call when they passed the third stanza in 1:32.1. As they headed into the final turn, John Calabrese had Shoemaker Hanover in high gear and they trotted by Inukchuk Chuck (Mark Schullstrom) and took dead aim at Masster Blue.

In the deep stretch Masster Blue and Shoemaker Hanover were side by side when they approached the finish line and a photo was needed to determine that Verruso and Masster Blue were not to be denied. Inukchuk Chuck held on for the show dough.

The race winner, an 8-year-old Muscle Mass gelding, is owned and trained by John Novello. Sent off as the betting favorite, Masster Blue paid $4.80 for win.