The first night of the Italian-American Friendship Challenge for Amateur Drivers took place on Saturday, January 20 at Pompano Park, and the Italian visitors will take a 70 to 56 lead heading into the Sunday, January 21 finale. The visitors captured two of the three races, while it was a Canadian who fought back and grabbed the third event for the 'American' side.
The four race extravaganza--three of which were held on Saturday night--began with Roberto Giannoni, hailing from S. Froce Sull'Amo, driving Global Inspiration to a narrow win in the opener, defeating Sky Walker's Rush N Supreme by a neck in 1:59.
The five-year-old daughter of Andover Hall was outside every step of her mile before doggedly holding on to win by a neck. Crown Point, driven by Billy Mugglesion, closed stoutly to finish third, while On The Tab finished fourth for Daniele Orsini after challenging for the lead around the final bend. The Budster, favoured at 4-5 on the tote-board, finished fifth for Steve Oldford.
Global Inspiration is trained by Rob Harmon for owner John Campagnuolo and returned $23.20 to win.
With the Italians leading 23 to 19 after round one, the Italians widened their lead in the second round as Bad I Am, driven by Gian Luca Di Venti from Palermo, Italy, soared home from mid-pack at the top of the stretch to score a one-and-one-half lengths win in 1:59.2.
The seven-year-old gelded son of Prayer I Am, trained by John Hallett, who co-owns with Michelle Oglesby, earned his 24th lifetime win over Pinky The Intern, driven by Leon Cable. Italy's Daniele Orsini piloted Zorgwijk Impact to a third-place finish after cutting much of the mile.
Tommy Bar was fourth for Ron Cusimano after taking command around the final bend while the favourite, Garlandsandpearls, picked up fifth for Roberto Giannoni.
The Italians took round two in a score of 26 to 16, leading the competition at 49 to 35.
The final Saturday night event went to William Star, driven by Canadian owner-trainer Shane Arsenault.
This six-year-old gelded son of Windsong Espoir found room turning for home and swept by to score in 1:57.4 by two-and-one-quarter lengths over Chocolate Xplosion, driven by Daniele Orsini. Prayer Session, who blitzed the leader in the backside to take command heading towards the final bend, finished third for Gian Luca Di Venti, while Pixie Queen, steered by John Campagnuolo, and Extracurricular, driven by Roberto Giannoni, were next. The win for the Canadian invader was the second in his last three starts at Pompano.
The finale is Sunday night, with the Italian contingent holding a 70 to 56 point lead.
The Sunday program also features a $15,000 Guaranteed Pool for the Pick-4 and a Super Hi-5 carryover just a shade under $100,000.
Drachan Hanover heads the field in the $11,000 Open Handicap Pace.
Post time is set for 7:20, with the Italian-American competition scheduled for the third race.
(With files from Pompano Park)