Monticello, NY — On the cold and rainy afternoon of Wednesday (April 15), racing fans in New York’s Sullivan County were treated to an action-packed North American Amateur Driving Association trot in the third race on the betting card. When a tight photo was reviewed by the judges, Exarch and driver Tony Verruso emerged victorious by a neck in 1:59.1 over Madhatter Bluechip (Joe Lee).

Last week’s winner, Keystone Blade (Joe Pennacchio), was gunned away from the gate but found no hole as Verruso wouldn’t yield command while Lee and others worked hard at keeping Keystone Blade on the limb. Exarch was on the engine by the quarter in a stiff :28.3 and those behind him closed all holes, not allowing Pennacchio to find any room down along the pylons.

Verruso and Pennacchio’s mounts were still heads apart as they trotted by the half in :58.1. And they were still one-two as they passed the three-quarters in 1:28.2. But at this point the field tightened as the trailers moved closer to the front. In spite of getting a bit leg weary, Exarch hung gamely to the lead and was able to rebuff all late challenges. As the field approached the finish line, Lee rallied Madhatter Bluechip down along the pylons and a very game Keystone Blade hung tough to finish 1-1/4 lengths behind the winner.

Exarch, a 6-year-old Cantab Hall gelding, is owned by Fortune Valley Stable and trained by Sean Campbell.

Verruso is enjoying his best season in the sulky with four wins, two seconds and five thirds in just 16 starts for a .424 UDR. He now has 86 career driving victories.