Yesterday, the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) inadvertently reported that the USA/Italy Friendship Competition ended but two pacing races in the competition were scheduled to be presented today (Tuesday, Aug. 9) at Monticello Raceway and, after those events were deemed official, the visiting Italians were victorious over their American counterparts in the competition.

In the first of the two events today, the Italians, led by Francesco Caruso, finished first, second and third. And in the second contest, despite a victory by the USA's Alan Schwartz, the visitors finished with the place and show money.

In the first competition race, Caruso sent Magnolia Moonstone to the lead from the pole and he parked all comers by the quarter in :30.1. While on the front-end, he kept Seboomook Beauty (Roberto Giannoni) on the limb past the half in 1:01.3 and by the three-quarters in 1:31.3. But in the lane, Caruso braced for challenges from A Lady By Chance (Maurizio Biasuzzi) and Classica (Daniele Orsini) and all three came to the wire heads apart. After the photo, it was determined that  Magnolia Moonstone was a neck winner in 2:01.1 over Classica, with A Lady By Chance a head farther back in third. 

Owned by Team Tritton and trained by Shane Tritton, the winner paid $3.80 for the win.

In the other division, Schwartz sent Samosa Hanover to the lead in :28.1 and was challenged all the way past the three-quarters by Milady Denver A (Giannoni). But when Samosa Hanover rounded the final turn and headed for home, he was a solid one-length winner in 1:58.4. Cloverland Cutie finished second for Biasuzzi and Caruso took home the show dough with Brendas Got It.

Twin Bridge Racing owns the winner, who is trained by Frank Yanoti. He paid $13 for the win.

(NAADA)