If the industry doesn't consider amateur racing an integral part of the current scene they just need to check the number of races being programmed at many racetracks, especially on the East Coast.

On a pleasant Thursday afternoon at Monticello Raceway amateur racing was front-and-center on the 10-race betting card with members of three different amateur racing organizations taking a seat behind a spirited steed. And when the judges declared the races official, “Joltin Joe” Pennacchio won the Billings trot with Connie Keeper in 2:01.1 and then came back two races later to score a 2:01 trotting triumph in the North American Amateur Drivers Association's trot behind Cheeky Little Minx.

A final amateur contest saw Bob Krivelin use the front-end route for a 1:59.2 victory in the Catskill Amateur Club's pace.

Even though the program marked the return of two-time National Amateur Driver of the Year “Hurricane Hannah” Miller, the day really belonged to Joe Pennacchio. And although it’s still early in the season talented driver and multiple horse owner is leading his competitors for seasons-end awards. Currently, his 12 victories are tops among the amateur driving colony.

In his first contest of the day “Joltin' Joe" started from the pole position with Connie Keeper and was content to hug the pylons in the early going. After the half he moved his charge to the outside and rallied alongside the leader and old warhorse, Wygant Prince, only to ware him down in the deep stretch. Wygant Prince and driver “Coach Paul” Minore held on for second while Better To Be Lucky finished third for “Tough Tony” Ciuffetelli.

“I followed the leaders and when I moved my mare she hung as we rounded the (final) turn but when we headed for home she began to pull away and we went on the a two-length triumph,” Pennacchio said.

Connie Keeper is owned by Dr Scott Woogen and trained by Gary Messenger, She paid $5.10 for win.

Pennacchio's second win was a laugher when his Cheeky Little Minx notched her fourth victory since her purchase in early May. The six-year-old Lucky Chucky mare ran away and hid on her competition and cruised to an oh-so-easy 5-1/4 length triumph over Gianni (John Campagnuolo). Woody and Bob Krivelin garnered the show dough.

“I have 11 horses currently racing with three in the amateur ranks,” said Pennacchio, a retired CEO. “We bought “Cheeky” at an Ohio sale in early May and she's been stellar for us. This was her fourth victory since we purchased her.”

Cheeky Little Miss is owned by Pennacchio's, Joe P Racing, and trained by Allen Sisco. Sent off as the odds-on favourite she returned a $3.20 mutuel.

The final amateur contest was in the Catskill Amateur Drivers Pacing Series and when the dust settled Bob Krivelin had guided TKRs Metro Spec to a gutsy gate to wire victory in a 1:59.2 clocking.

When the gate sprung in that contest Krivelin sent his pacer to the lead from the pole position and they had three lengths on the field when they passed by the first stanza. From there Krivelin had to contend with a parked-out Idontthankyoucan (Bob Davis) who kept unrelinquished pressure on TKOs Metro Spec. They then raced one-two past the half and three quarters and were still heads apart when they headed for paydirt. At the wire Krivelin's horse scooted away for one length victory over Davis' charge. Hannah Miller finished third with Eagle Artesian. The winner is trained by Bruce Aldrich, Sr.

“ I really like driving Aldrich's horses because Bruce always has them ready when they hit the racetrack,” Krivelin said after garnering his 217th career victory.

Owned by Woody Hoblitzell TKOs Metro Spec paid $11.40