Word comes that Italy is planning to invade the United States — specifically Florida.
The invasion will take place on Sunday, December 8 and Monday, December 9 at Pompano Park, as an amateur series will be featuring many of the best amateur drivers in the sport.
The American contingent will be headed by last year’s Amateur Driver of the Year, Steve Oldford, and complimented by the appearances of Dein Spriggs and Joe Pennacchio, among others.
‘Team Italy’ will feature Gian Luca De Venti, Daniele Orsini, Pier D’Angelo, Alessandro Manfredi.
Gian Luca De Venti, a native of Palermo, Italy, is no stranger to the winner’s circle at Pompano Park, having won at Pompano with the trotter Bad I Am in a 2018 performance.
Daniele Orsini, from San Casciano, has competed with regularity in the States and, over the past two seasons, has been ‘on the board’ in seven of 11 starts, many at Pompano Park.
Pier D’Angelo, from Naples, also has participated at Pompano (his last appearance was in 2016).
Alessandro Manfredi will be making his U.S. debut in Pompano’s second race on Sunday night.
The American contingent features Spriggs, who has won 471 races, tops among all U.S. amateur drivers competing in the event.
Pennacchio and Oldford have reached the winner’s circle 183 and 161 times, respectively.
Speaking of the event, Spriggs said, “No doubt that this will be a highly competitive—but friendly—event with the winner owning the bragging rights until we meet again.
“The main thing is that all of us do our part in showing how harness racing can benefit so many worthwhile charities and organizations that need help to keep doing their great work.
“We want our sport to reach out to our communities, cities and the world with our good will. That’s what we are all about.”
(Florida Amateur Driving Club)