After spending the winter competing in amateur races at Pompano Park, Joe Pennacchio, last year's Amateur Driver of the Year, has moved north and made his first start in this season's NAADA trotting series a winning one when he guided his own Cash For Gold to an easy two-length triumph in a 1:59.4 clocking and turned back seven others at Monticello Raceway on Thursday (April 11).
“It wasn't easy because he's a high-strung individual and he wears your arms out prior to the start,” Pennacchio offered after the race was completed. “He's a nervous sort who 'latches-on' prior to the race so much so that I have to take him back to the paddock to rest my arms and then go behind the gate when we're called to do so.”
After starting from the seven-hole as second choice in the betting, Pennacchio sent his trotter toward the front but smartly took a tuck before the first quarter was trotted in :29.3. However, he didn't stay there long and moved to the outside as the field, led by last week's winner, Tough Get Going and driver Joe Faraldo, approached the halfway point in :59.3
When the leaders straightened up the backside and headed for the three quarters, Cash For Gold was pressuring Tough Get Going but the latter rebuffed the former and Faraldo's charge still had command as the three-quarter timer flashed 1:29.4.
In the lane Monica Banca, with the race favourite High Blue, was sitting along the pylons in third position and was looking for daylight. But racing room in the lane never appeared until mid-stretch and when Banca sent her trotter up the pylons it was too late as Cash For Gold trotted clear to score the victory. Tough Get Going held on for the show dough.
“He has been prone to making breaks on the double ovals but this was one of his best miles on half mile track,” a happy Pennacchio said after the race.
Owned by Joe P Racing and trained by Allen Sisco, the winner scored his first victory of the season and returned $6.90 for win.
In the quest to determine who'll represent NAADA in an amateur competition in Italy later this year Joe Faraldo, with 29 points, leads Joe Lee (22), Bob Krivelin (21), Paul Minore (16) Alan Schwartz (16) and Monica Banca (16). At series end the top three in points will vie for a chance to get that all expense-paid trip to represent NAADA against the Italians in an international competition.
(NAADA)