by joe faraldo, leader of the visiting American team, with help from john
manzi
Pasta
with tears. Never heard of it? Well just ask the four Americans who were led to
slaughter in Treviso, Italy in the first of three legs of the Italian American
Challenge rematch. In the two contest races today the Italians decimated the
Americans. The best the visiting Americans could muster was a fourth place
finish by Tony Ciuffetelli.
Treviso
is a 1,000 meter, or 5/8ths mile racetrack, and each race was predictably won
by the Italians; Maurizio Scala won the first followed in the winners circle by
the affable Giancarlo Moretti , whose famed Morano glass factory is world
renowned.
The
unfamiliarity with the horses and surroundings didn't help the Americans but
excuses aside, the Italians once again out-drove the Americans. ."We can't
blame the horses, we can only blame ourselves", Faraldo reasoned. “But as
it always seems when you don't do well there is always something or
someone else to blame and the truth is when you don't drive well it is your own
fault".
However,
both Tony’s , Ciuffetelli and Verruso, drove well but the horses they drove
could have been more competitive with those our Italian friends had.
However, our hosts have been treating us as well as could be expected,
especially with good food and great wine preparing us for what might well be
out fate.
As
Mike La Chance once said after losing a race in Delaware, Ohio," I just
turn the page and get ready for the next one."
Tomorrow’s races are at Padova and for us a fresh start.
It has to get better, otherwise we Americans will have nothing to hope for but
a good meal and more outstanding wine.
If
team USA fails to catch up to the seemingly insurmountable Italian lead by the
final leg at Cesena on Friday, the former Italian amateur champion, Michele
Canale and friends will be waiting to carve up the remainder of what may be
left of our American team.
