The second day of the competition in the USA vs. Italy Friendship Challenge proved nearly fruitless for the visitors, but with Hannah Miller’s third-place finish in the race saved face somewhat for the visitors.
With incredibly sunny Italian skies overhead, the USA-Italy Amateur Friendship Challenge concluded on Sunday (May 1) and though uneventfully on the racetrack, at least for the visitors, every moment was cherished and will forever be remembered by all the participants.
With all the events contested in the four-race competition, the Italians prevailed with three wins to the Americans' one, which came from a heads-up drive by Dein Spriggs.
USA Team Captain Joe Pennacchio said of the Friendship Competition, “We couldn't be happier with the races and hospitality shown to us and we expressed special thanks to track, (Ippodromo di Agnano) owner Pier Luigi D’Angelo, who went overboard making us welcome.”
Hannah Miller led the Americans with a third-place finish with 31.5 points and received a trophy to mark that occasion. The competition point leader was Italy’s Ciro Ciccarelli, who finished with 60.5 points.
“You really have to drive the horse. They need lots of help at the start and in the turns, and if your horse breaks [stride], you are disqualified. So I was careful,” Miller explained.
“The Italians drove like a team and did a lot of blocking to clear their better horses,” added USA team member Steve Oldford. “Ciro had the best showing by winning two races.
“We had a great lunch after the competition with all the drivers and our new friends and enjoyed the 67th edition of the Gran Premio Lotteria Di Agnano, which was won by Oasis Bi, who was driven to victory by Johnny Takter, Jimmy’s brother.”
(NAADA)