”Joltin' Joe” Pennacchio, last year's Amateur Driver of the Year, fortified his 2019 credentials with a driving victory in the C.K.G. Billings Series Eastern Region at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (May 18).
Up behind his classy old veteran, Super Manning, Pennacchio made a first-over move going to the half hold up for a 2:01.3 triumph.
After starting from post 4, Pennacchio angled his trotter to the pylons as Caravelle (Bob Davis) and Uriel (Annie Stoebe) battled for command past the quarter in :29.2. But as soon as Uriel was clear on the front end, Pennacchio moved Super Manning first-up to the lead at the halfway point, with Landonfitz (Dave Offenberg) and Noble Warrawee (Bob Hechkoff) in hot pursuit.
At the third stanza, Super Manning had a 1-1/2 length lead, which he opened to 2-1/4 lengths as the field headed for home. However in mid-stretch, Landonfitz and Noble Warrawee came with a rush, and the leaders were side-by-side as they approached the finish. Super Manning would not be denied and held on for a neck triumph over Landonfitz. Noble Warrawee was right there in the photo, just a head behind the top two.
For defending amateur champion Pennacchio, it marked his fifth win this season. Since his first drive in 1995, Pennacchio now has driven 182 winners in the United States along with a few in Europe.
Owned by Joe P Racing and trained by Allen Sisco, Super Manning paid $5.00 to win.
(Billings Series)