The 2022 edition of the highly anticipated Italian-American Driver's Challenge, sponsored by The Florida Amateur Driving Club, gets underway on Sunday (Feb. 27) in a two-day, four-race series featuring the top amateur drivers in Florida and across Atlantic waters.
Of course, the big winners, once again, will be charity, with more than $230,000 raised since the FADC's inception.
This annual competition has become quite a hit in both Florida and in Italy, where the series has a huge attraction in both locales.
On Sunday, the competition gets underway in the second half of the early daily double with The Big Muscle the 3-1 morning line favourite with owner Dein Spriggs in the sulky. Joe Pennacchio will handle the 4-1 co-second choice in the morning line, Keystone Blade.
The Italians will be represented by Daniele Orsini and Alessandro Manfredi, two of Italy's finest amateur drivers.
Orsini, who is from San Casciano, Italy, will be back of Coco Hall, listed as the 4-1 co-second choice on the TrackMaster morning line.
Orsini is no stranger to the winner's circle here at Pompano Park, having won in his last appearance at Pompano Park back in December of 2019 with Thisisshe in 1:57.4. Orsini has been 1-2-3 in nine of his 15 starts in the United States.
Manfredi, from Milan, Italy, will handle Charmageddon in that event and is listed at 10-1 on the morning line. He too has performed formidably at Pompano Park, having posted on-the-board finishes in his last two appearances in South Florida in 2019.
Orsini will return in the fourth race Pentafecta with Iam What I Am, beginning from post four, one slot in from country-mate Manfredi, who will take the two-time 2022 winner Maggiesmomoney to the starting gate.
The 3-1 morning line favourite in the event is Chav Hanover, who have Dennis Whittemore in his sulky starting from the outside nine post.
Tommy Santeramo will handle the 7-2 second choice in the morning line, Forbidden Song, a 20-time winner coming into this event.
The competition continues on Monday night the final two events determining the bragging rights between the two.
Of course, the regular outstanding program will be contested with the headliner being the $14,200 Open Handicap Pace.
That event has lured the one-two punch in the Mike Deters Stable as Rebellious and Prairie Panther, both winners in the Open event in their last start — Prairie Panther last week and Rebellious the week prior. PD The Big Easy, Actor Hanover, Scootnroll, Cinnamon Beach and Maxdaddy Blue Chip will provide stiff competition for the top spot.
There will be a $15,000 guaranteed Pick-4 pool offered bolstered by the industry low 12 percent takeout.
First post time is set for 7:20 p.m.
(Pompano)