Yonkers, NY — Tony Verruso displayed the talent that earned him last season’s National Amateur Driver of the Year award, winning both $10,000 North American Amateur Drivers Association trots on Thursday (May 12) at Yonkers Raceway.

Verruso won the first division with Call Me Thefireman and came back to win the second split with Winneress — both of whom he owns.

In the first split, Verruso and Call Me Thefireman rated a :59.3 half before cruising to an easy 1:58.4 victory. Living Proof I Am and Andrew Byler finished second; Gemini Eddie was third for Joe Faraldo.

Call Me Thefireman, a 6-year-old Wishing Stone gelding, is trained by Symon Spicer.

In the second division, Jake Stillwell sent Cyclone Maximus to the lead from the two-hole while Verruso settled Winneress into the pocket by the first stanza in :28.4. They remained one-two past the half in 1:00.2 and three-quarters in 1:30.1. Heading for home, Verruso moved Winneress off the pylons and they rallied to a 1:59.4 victory. Cyclone Maximus finished second, 2-1/2 lengths behind; Swancredit and Bob Krivelin finished third.

Spicer also trains Winneress, an 8-year-old Credit Winner gelding.

Verruso’s two victories give him 13 on the season, along with 18 second-place and 10 third-place finishes in 80 seasonal starts.