Matt Zuccarello is just a happy man. And why shouldn't he be? After all he just had his first driving double.
It came in on the rainy evening of July 1st over the muddy double oval at Yonkers Raceway in the NAADA trotting series when he guided Checkmate Hill to a 1:59 victory in the first non-wagering split and came right back to score a 1:57.4 triumph in the second.
To say that the talented youngster is happy would be a gross understatement especially since it was his first career driving double.
In the first event Zuccarello sent Checkmate Hill immediately to the lead from the six-hole and they led the field by the quarter in :30. But heading to the half Joe Pennacchio moved PC Foreign Affair off the pylons and aimed to take command. However, Zuccarello kept his challenger on the limb and they were noses apart as they headed up the backside and into the final turn.
"My horse hung tough and he rebuffed Pennacchio's horse and still had enough to keep Joe Faraldo and Gemini Eddie at bay all the way to the wire," Zuccarello explained..
At the wire Checkmate Hill was a length and a half winner for owner Roy Dobbins and trainer Dennis J. Laturza.
In the other split Zuccarello floated out fourth and then began slowly to work their way forward.
"My horse is a grinder and with quick early fractions we slowly worked our way forward," Zuccarello explained. "And at the thee quarters we were still a couple of lengths behind the pace-setter, Fiji, and driver Dave Offenberg. But when we rounded the final turn my horse kept gaining ground and we were heads apart when we crossed the finish line."
A photo was needed to determine the winner of that 1:57.4 trotted mile. Third place went to Dark Pool driven by Jake Stillwell.
Stealing, a five-year-old gelding, is co-owned by Winner Circle Racing, John Campagnuolo and Latz A Luck Stable and is trained by Dennis A. Laturza.
(NAADA)