Joe Pennacchio is a happy man. And why shouldn't he be? After all, the talented amateur notched a driving double on the betting card at Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon.
He won the North American Amateur Drivers Association Trot with Cheeky Little Minx immediately after winning the previous race with Super Manning. Both trotters are owned by Pennacchio's JP Racing LLC and trained by Allen Sisco.
It's a rarity for an amateur driver to win two races on the same card so that precipitated a question to Joe; is this the first time you won a pair on a betting card? He thought for a moment and said “no”, and then continued: “At Pompano (Park) a few seasons ago I won twice on the wagering program.”
The retired executive from Delray Beach, Fla. looked like a professional in executing both victories.
Pennacchio’s victory with recently purchased Cheeky Little Minx was never in doubt after he sent the six-year-old daughter of Lucky Chucky to the lead from the two- hole. They had two lengths on the field as the timer flashed :30.1 and from there Cheeky Little Minx trotted nearly even fractions of :30.1, :30 and :30.1 en route to 5-1/4 length triumph in 2:00.3 over Winwood Scout (David Glasser), with Pixel Queen and driver Joe Lee another length back in third place.
“I was just a passenger” a modest Pennacchio said after his victory. He then added “We bought her at the Ohio sale in early May and now she has three wins in three starts for us since we purchased her. And if I might add, she's a pleasure to drive.”
Sent off the prohibitive favourite, Cheeky Little Minx paid $2.70 for win.
That romping victory came after Pennacchio's triumph in the previous race with Super Manning.
Again sent off as the betting favourite, racing luck played a big part in their victory in this contest.
Crystal Sphere, with Mike Merton driving, cut all the fractions and they had a four-length lead when they turned for home but in mid-stretch the trotter went off stride which opened the door for Pennacchio and Super Manning whose best results appeared to be a second place finish.
“As Yogi Berra prolifically said “it ain't over til it's over” and when the judge posted the official sign our number (5) was on top,” Pennacchio said smiling.
Super Manning, a 10-year-old Diamond Goal gelding, returned $2.80 for win.
“Joltin' Joe” now has nine seasonal driving victories and 171 thus far in his illustrious career.
(NAADA)