by john manzi for
NAADA
To say that Monday(April 13)
was a horrible day for racing at Monticello Raceway would be a gross
understatement. With the falling rain, the near freezing temperatures, and the
muddy race track, it was a tough day for all the participants. And it just so
happened that was the first day of the Hungary vs. USA international driving
competition with contests to follow at Yonkers Raceway on Tuesday and at
Saratoga Raceway on Thursday.
But despite the adverse
conditions all went well with both Hungary and the USA each winning a race.
With the USA team being
complimented with members of the North American Amateur Drivers Association
(NAADA) the first event saw NAADA's Paul Minore set sail from post three with
16-1 shot, Lightning Madison, and not only easily grab the front-end but in the
process go wire to wire making every pole a winning one en route to a four
length triumph over Sureimalynn, handled by Hungary's, Kriztian Fazekas. And
the final time of 2:08.2 was indicative of the track condition.The USA's Monica
Banca took home the show dough with Jaybeebullville.
“I got to the lead real
easily so I just kept going on and not looking for cover,” Minore related in
the paddock after the race was completed. “In spite of the inclement weather it
was fun. Of course, winning is always fun.”
Sent off at odds of 16-1
Lightning Madison paid $34.00; $7.20; and $8.30 across the board. The
11-year-old Pro Bono Best mare is owned by Ruth Ingham and trained by Vernon
James.
In conversation after the
race Minore told how he has been fortunate when racing against European
amateurs abroad.
“ I have been lucky to win
three times in Europe on different occasions,” he said. “I won last September
against the Hungarians in Budapeste and in previous years I won a race at Vienna,
Austria and at Solvalla in Stockholm, Sweden.”
Minore, a retired physical
education teacher and high school coach, is proud of having world champion and
Olympic multi-Gold Medal winner, Carl Lewis, begin his fabulous career under
his tutelage.
The second USA v Hungary
contest was won by Andrea Fazekas who showed real talent in keeping her
pacer,Rosie Rozzo, alive in the final quarter after being collared by
Diamondsforember ( Alan Schwartz-USA) on the final turn and then go on to a
length triumph in 2:04 over her challenger. Monica Banca, also representing the
home team, finished third again, this time with Check My Pulse.
In the post race interview
Ms Fazekas was assisted by her hubby and professional driver Tamas Keleman who
is fluent in English. Through Tamas, Andrea related that she listened to
instructions given to her prior to the race where she was told to go to the
lead.
Then in her broken English
she said she felt the nose of a horse that was breathing on her back on the
final turn but concentrated on Alan Schwartz who was challenging with
Diamondsforember.
However in the deep stretch Ms Fazekas and Rosie Rozzo went
on to a one length triumph.
Sent off as the favorite in
the race the winner paid $3.90; $3.00 and $2.30. The Yankee Cruise 5-year-old
mare is owned and trained by Jody Weidman.
Two things of note in the
final USA-Hungary competition today are that Ms Fazekas was challenged, but to
avail, by her mother, Andrea Nagyvary, who finished sixth in the race with Fly
To The Angels. And after the last race in the competition at Saratoga on
Thursday Andrea Fazekas and her hubby will celebrate their 10th
wedding anniversary with a trip to the Dominican Republic.
The USA-Hungary competition
moves to Yonkers Raceway tomorrow night with two races on the betting card. The
Hungarian team will remain the same but driving there for the NAADA team will
be Joe Faraldo, Jennifer Lappe, Alan Schwartz and Joe Lee.
