It could be said that young Joe Bongiorno saved the best for last. In the five preliminary legs of the North American Amateur Drivers Association’s two track trotting series, the 17-year-old high school student was without a victory. But when the $12,000 was on the line
in the final, Bongiorno rose to the top of the class.
On Thursday, May 5, in a non-wagering contest at Yonkers Raceway, Bongiorno hustled his mom’s veteran trotter Winterleebrook to a 2:00 victory over Dave Ehrenberg’s Garlands Brat and Dave Yarock’s Biggerthebetter.
“After I saw the program I decided that I wanted a two-hole trip and when Garlands Brat shot to the front I fell right in behind him...and then I was lucky enough to put Biggerthebetter in behind me.” Bongiorno said. “I got a real good trip and my horse finished strong; I never even had to urge him.”
Garlands Brat cut the swift early fractions and although Yarock wanted in behind the leader, Bongiorno forced Yarock him to take a seat behind him. Once the field settled the three trotters raced lined-up all the way until the top of the stretch, at which point Bongiorno moved Winterleebrook to the outside and coasted home an easy one length winner.
For the Colts Neck, New Jersy high school junior it marked his first driving victory of the season in a purse race. Last season, Bongiorno was named the National Amateur Driver of the Year by the United States Harness Writers Association and it’s no secret that young Joe, the grandson of Harold “Sonny” Dancer, will be seeking a career as a professional harness driver.
Bongiorno will be the featured In The Sulky guest on Meadowlands Racetrack's Sunday pre-card television broadcast. He will compete in the second race on the card, the CKG Billings Amateur Series Trot. Fans can watch the broadcast live from the Paddock Level television set or online at MeadowlandsRacetrack.com beginning at 12:40 p.m. First race post time on Sunday is 1:10 p.m.