by john manzi, for NAADA
Early
on, Hannah Miller was given the apropos nickname “Hurricane Hannah” because she
has taken amateur racing by storm; and nothing could be more accurate. Not only
did the 24-year-old lady cop the Yonkers Raceway leg of the Italy-USA
Friendship Competition (sponsored by NAADA) on Thursday evening August 18,
earlier in the day she won two amateur races at Monticello Raceway.
“This
is my best day so far,“ Ms. Miller admitted. “Three races and three wins, it
doesn’t get much better than that.”
At
Yonkers Raceway, up behind PC’s Wildcard owned by fellow amateur Joe
Pennacchio, Hannah caught a break when the pacer drew the pole position after
having started from outside positions in his recent races.
Sent
off as the betting favorite in the race, Hannah set sails right from the get-go
and guided her pacer to the front.
“I
caught a break when Mr. (Raphael) Ruffato (with second choice Home Turf) pulled
the two-hole as we headed toward the (first) quarter,” Hannah said. “I was
lucky to get away with soft early fractions but when Mr. Ruffato came at me
strong at the half I left my horse go with him and we went a steppy third
quarter. But with him parked the whole way his horse tired and those in the
rears had to first go around him to get at me.”
At
the three quarters PC’s Wildcard had two lengths on the field which was opened
to three at the top of the stretch. In the lane Miller’s charge cruised home an
easy 4-1/4 length winner. Second place went to Sugar Queen Gabby driven by
Giancarlo Moretti, who, by the way, won a Friendship Competition race yesterday
at Monticello Raceway. NAADA president Joe Faraldo finished third with
Whatnblazes.
PC’s
Wildcard, owned by Joe P Racing and trained by Dan Altman, paid $4.20 for win.
It was the third seasonal victory for the 7-year-old pacer. And for Hannah
Miller, she now has 27 driving victories thus far this year.
On
August 29 “Hurricane Hannah” will head to Budapest, Hungary to represent the
United States in this year’s World Cup
of Amateur Racing. (more on that to following in upcoming days)
On
the prowess of the American team finishing first, third, fourth and fifth here
at Yonkers Raceway they will take a fairly substantial lead (71-55) into the
final events of the Friendship Competition at Tioga Downs on Friday (August 19)
where four different drivers will represent the USA.
