Now the Italian Americans have someone to cheer for in
Monticello Raceway’s Heritage Drivers Series finale after Rock
Vinci drove Southwind to an easy 2:00 triumph in this year’s
Godfather Pace on Monday afternoon, August 27th .
The race, which featured drivers of Italian extraction, was
the seventh leg of the year-long series and now Vinci e will join the
winners of the previous preliminary legs in the series final, dubbed the
All-America Cup, later in early December.
Sent off as the betting favorite from the pole position
Southwind Maize bobbled before the start but Vince got him back to his rhythm
and the pacer took command on the first turn. As they headed toward the quarter
pole Vinci grabbed leather and allowed Dave Russo and Big Game to control the
front end as the timer flashed :28.4. From there Russo’s pacer led
the way past the half in :59.2 and as the field straightened on the backside
Vinci moved Southwind Maize out from the two hole and they paced right on by
the leader and opened up daylight on the rest of the field. On the final turn only
the margin of victory was in doubt.
In the deep stretch Vinci hot-dogged it a bit waving his
whip in the air as Southwind Maize drew off to a 12- length victory over Russo
and his 25-1 shot, Big Game. Third place went to Tidewater Moses
driven by Johnny Desimone, Jr.
Vinci was joined in the winner’s circle by the horse’s
owner Elwood Funk, Jr. who was happy with his horse’s performance.
“Yeah, he looked like a world beater in against these today
and I was certainly amazed by his margin of victory but I wish he’d be
more consistent,” Funk said of his pacer. “Lately he rarely puts two good races
together.”
“He’s a lot better horse than he has been lately,” Vinci
said referring to Southwind Maize. “He’s a big, good looking
well-bred (altered) son of Western Ideal and he won this year at Freehold
in 56-and a piece (1:56.1), but he’s a cheater. He can go more but there are
times he just refuses to (give his best).
It was the fourth seasonal victory for Southwind Maize
who went off as the odds-on favorite and paid $3.50 for win.
Strangely, after his driving victory Rock Vinci
received the trophy which was presented by Mike Vinci, (no relation) Monticello
Casino & Raceway’s director of finance.
