Now the Italian Americans have someone to cheer for in Monticello Raceway’s Heritage Drivers Series finale, as Rock Vinci drove Southwind Maize to an easy 2:00 triumph in this year’s Godfather Pace on Tuesday, August 29.

The race, which featured drivers of Italian extraction, was the seventh leg of the year-long series, and now Vinci will join the winners of the previous preliminary legs in the series final, dubbed the ‘All-America Cup,’ later in early December.

Sent off as the betting favourite from the pole position, Southwind Maize bobbled before the start, but Vinci got him back to his rhythm and the pacer took command on the first turn. As they headed toward the quarter pole, Vinci grabbed leather and allowed Dave Russo and Big Game to control the front end as the timer flashed :28.4. From there, Russo’s pacer led the way past the half in :59.2 and as the field straightened on the backside Vinci moved Southwind Maize out from the two hole. The duo then paced right on by the leader and opened up daylight on the rest of the field. Only the margin of victory was in doubt on the final turn.

In the deep stretch, Vinci ‘hot-dogged’ it a bit, waving his whip in the air as Southwind Maize drew off to a 12-length victory over Russo and his 25-1 shot, Big Game. Third place went to Tidewater Moses, driven by Johnny Desimone Jr.

Vinci was joined in the winner’s circle by the horse’s owner, Elwood Funk Jr., who was happy with his horse’s performance.

“Yeah, he looked like a world beater in against these today and I was certainly amazed by his margin of victory, but I wish he’d be more consistent,” Funk said of his pacer. “Lately he rarely puts two good races together.”

“He’s a lot better horse than he has been lately,” Vinci said, referring to Southwind Maize. “He’s a big, good looking, well-bred son of Western Ideal and he won this year at Freehold in (1:) 56 and a piece, but he’s a cheater. He can go more, but there are times he just refuses to (give his best).”

It was the fourth seasonal victory for Southwind Maize, who went off as the odds-on favourite and paid $3.50 for Win.

Strangely, after his driving victory, Rock Vinci received the trophy which was presented by Mike Vinci, (no relation) Monticello Casino & Raceway’s director of finance.

The final Heritage Drivers Series preliminary leg – the Maple Leaf Mile for drivers of Canadian descent – will be raced in mid-November. Then, the winning drivers of each of the eight ethnic legs will battle in the series finale, the All America Cup, in early December.

(Monticello)