Wilkes Barre, PA — Tony Verruso and Slated To Win prevailed after a tough stretch duel and turned back Zooming and driver Steve Oldford to win the $11,000 American Harness Drivers Club trot Saturday (Oct. 30) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

With the field reduced to six starters, Verruso sent Slated To Win to the lead when the wings of the mobile gate folded and they raced unchallenged and led their competition by the quarter in :20 with Tony Beltrami and Shared Interest A tight on Verruso’s back. They were still one-two as they trotted by the half in :58.1, but up the backside Beltrami’s trotter tired which left Zooming and driver Steve Oldford a shot at the leader.

When the field passed the third stanza, Zooming was gaining on the leader and when they headed for home a stretch duel ensued with Slated To Win and Zooming side-by-side all the way to the wire. But when the judges finally posted the order of finish Verruso breathed a sigh of relief. Third place went to the race favorite Crazycat, who driven by Bob Krivelin.

“I figured if I sent my horse to the lead in this short field it would be our best chance to win, but as we neared the finish line I had second thoughts,” Verruso said. “It was so tight that when the judges posted my (horse’s) number first I felt redeemed.”

The race winner, a 5-year-old Uncle Peter gelding, is owned by George Beck and trained by Symon Spicer. He paid $12.40 to win.