by john manzi for the CKG Billings Series
The CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series began the
second portion of this year’s competition at Yonkers Raceway with two Eastern
Region non-betting divisions on Thursday, July 28 with a pair of Joe’s each
emerging victorious. “Joltin’ Joe” Pennacchio copped his division with Windsong
Illusion while “Yankee Joe” Lee took home first money in the second
split.
In the Eastern Region #1 Final the previous Thursday,
also at Yonkers Raceway, the series point leader “Hurricane Hannah” Miller won
that event and now becomes eligible for the Billings Gold Cup Final later this
year at Harrah’s Chester Downs.
At Yonkers with “Joltin’ Joe” Pennacchio, subbing for
Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford who was stranded in the Midwest, worked
himself a good journey with Windsong Illusion, staying close to the leaders and
then exploding in the stretch to trot by Shanghai Jack and “Hurricane Hannah”
to score a one-length triumph in a 1:59.3 clocking. Bluebird Kidsqueen finished
third for Dave “the Rave” Offenberg.
Pennacchio was happy to get the mount behind Windsong
Illusion and he was extremely gratified on his driving victory.
“It was just one of those things, a picture perfect
trip, and though it doesn’t happen that often it’s nice when you’re on the
winning end of it,”Pennacchio said after this triumph.”I got away third and
then ended-up with a two-hole Journey behind Hannah (with Shanghai Jack) and
then came up the inside in the stretch and trotted by her.”
Windsong Illusion is owned by Oldford Racing, LLC and
trained by Allen Cisco. It was the fourth seasonal triumph for Windsong
Illusion and the 155th driving victory for Joe Pennacchio, a retired
investment manager.
A second non-wagering amateur split was copped Rocket
Master, driven by “Yankee Joe” Lee, the New York Yankees’ clubhouse manager who
scored his fifth seasonal driving victory.
Starting from post five Lee was content to allow his
trotter to leave the gate slowly and they were in fifth position as Trotalot
and Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff showed the way by the first stanza in :28.4.
Lee followed cover as the field headed for the half and remained in fifth pace
although closer to the pacesetter. Rocket Master didn’t shake lose until the
final turn but when he did gained command at the top of the lane and then went
on to an easy three length triumph over Cassa’s Image driven by John “the
Veterinarian” Kokinos. “Smokin’ Joe” Faraldo took home the show dough with For
You Almostfree.
“We got away next to last,” Lee admitted, “but we came
third-over heading to the half. We were closing in on the leaders up the
backside and on the final turn I had plenty of horse. We began passing
horses and by mid-stretch we had it wrapped up and we coasted home an easy
winner.”
It was the third seasonal victory for Rocket Master
who’s owned by Ronald Cohen and trained by Mike Forte. For Lee, who only gets a
chance to drive when the New York Yankees are out of town, or not scheduled to
play on Thursdays, it was his fifth seasonal driving victory and 15th
of his amateur career.
Next Billings action is slated for Saturday night,
July 30 at the Summit Fair at Northfield Park.
