“We weren’t slated to race on that Friday but we added the
date so we could be part of the Back to the Track national harness racing
promotional weekend,” noted raceway GM Shawn Wiles.”
Although,
not an uncommon event in other countries, each of the pari-mutuel races on that
afternoon card will feature some of the best and most experienced amateur
drivers in North America.
Joe Faraldo, along with Bob Krivelin and Alan Schwartz ,are
organizing this year’s events which will again include a division or two of the
Billings Harness Driving Championship.
Besides Krivelin (132 wins), Schwartz (480), and Faraldo
(135) also set slated to drive on All Amateur Day are: Kelly Walker (62),
Steve, Oldford (60), Tony Verruso(42), Peter Gerry(79), Bob Hechkoff
(34), Dave Offenberg(35) , George Bonomo(32), Vladimir Melnichenko (31),
Dave Yarock(34), Bob Troyer(63), Gerry Fielding (61), John
Campagnuolo(30), Joe Pennacchio(128) and Scott Woogen (105). Included
too, are Michelle Ruvola (33) and Terry Donnelly(18).
We currently have 19 outstanding amateurs who are set
for the competitions on July 13 but we’d still like to get
one more,” noted Joe Faraldo, a longtime amateur driver and president of
the North American Amateur Drivers Association who’ll bring 135 wins to the
competitions.
The combined win total of the competing amateurs is
currently 1514 with Alan Schwartz’s 480 leading the way.
“All drivers are putting up $1000 which will supplement the
purses and guarantee them each four drives ,” Faraldo noted. “They will
also get a voyage on Thursday, July 12th around Manhattan-- with
dinner-- included on the World Yacht which will make a stop at the Statue
Of Liberty before returning to port on New York City’s lower west side.
“And after the races on Friday the group will be invited for
dinner at the Old Homestead Restaurant in nearby Bridgeville, NY.”
According to Faraldo two sportsmen, Ebby Gerry Jr. and
Malvern Burroughs, have also donated to the All Amateur Day coiffeurs.
Hall of Famer Ebby Gerry, Jr. is also the
president of the Harness Racing Museum and Malvern Burrough
is one of only two amateur drivers to ever win the famed Hambletonian.
Any amateur driver with a full or provisional license interested
in joining the others on All Amateur Day he or she is urged to contact Faraldo
at faral@thorn.net or call him at
718.544.6800.
Post time for the July 13th card will once again
be at 12:50pm
