It was only Tony “Shifty” Ciuffetelli, Jr.'s fourth professional drive but he handled himself like a seasoned pro when he took advantage of a covered trip to the top of the stretch and then rallied his trotter down the passing lane to score a 2:00.4 triumph with Revrac Harbour in Thursday afternoon’s Billings Trot at Monticello Raceway.
For a youngster who drove his first pari-mutuel winner, outwardly he remained quiet but surely under his calm exterior one would have to believe he was jubilant.
“When I got away in the two-hole I figured I'd probably get a good trip and I did”, Ciuffetelli admitted. “But my horse was steady on the left line as we headed to the half. Being an old veteran, I guess he wanted to make a move off the pylons, but when Bob Hechkoff (with Noble Warrawee) moved alongside the leader (Connie Keeper) he let go of the left line and as we passed the three quarters I had a good hold on him and I was looking for racing room.”
Young Ciuffetelli found what he was looking for when the leaders reached the top of the stretch. He angled the eight-year-old son of Donato Hanover to the passing and the veteran trotter did the rest and trotted by both the pace-setter, Connie Keeper, and her challenger, Noble Warrawee, to score a one-length victory in 2:00.4.
Ciuffetelli is the son of veteran Billings participant “Tough Tony” Ciuffetelli.
Owned by Homestyle Racing and trained by Joseph Ciuffetelli, Revrac Hanover paid $18.40. It was the veteran trotter's second seasonal triumph and the 28th of his career which increased his lifetime earnings to over $240,000.
Next Billings action is slated for Saturday, June 1 at the Meadows in western Pennsylvania.
(Billings Series)