Yonkers, NY — The 2020 North American Amateur Drivers Association racing season commenced on Thursday night (March 5) at Yonkers Raceway with two non-wagering divisions presented prior to the betting card. Tony Verruso and Pearly Allen emerged victorious in their respective $8,000 splits.

Verruso won with The Cuse Is Loose in 1:59.2, while Allen scored behind veteran Wygant Prince in 2:00.1. Both trotters rallied late for decisive victories.

Verruso and The Cuse Is Loose started slowly while Joe Faraldo and Muzzy’s Muscles cut early fractions of :29.1 and 1:00. Trailing in fourth place, Veruso moved his charge off the pylons as the field headed to the half. Third at that point, Verruso then hustled The Cuse Is Lose and they took command as the field rounded the final turn.

Aping Verruso’s moves, John Calabrese kept Wild Smile on the leader’s back, but The Cuse Is Loose proved to much for his challengerd. The 6-year-old Deweycheatumnhowe gelding went on to a solid one-length victory. Wild Smile held on for second money while Pop I garnered the show dough for Brett Beckwith.

The winner is owned by his driver and trained by Ethan Sisco.

In the other division, Wygant Prince and Pearly Allen settled in second along the pylons while Melissa Arbia showed the way with Finnick Odair. When the field rounded the final turn, Allen moved the veteran Wygant Prince out to challenge, and he rallied to a 2-1/4 length triumph in 2:00.1. Finnick Odair was second best while Southwind Dorian chugged home in third place.

Paul Minore owns Wygant Prince; Taylor Gower handles the training duties.

Next Thursday (March 12), the 10-race NAADA series moves on to Monticello Raceway.