by john manzi for amateur racing
Monticello, NY- If
the industry doesn't consider amateur racing an integral part of the current
scene they just need to check the number of races being programmed at many
racetracks, especially on the East Coast.
On a pleasant Thursday
afternoon (July 12) at Monticello Raceway amateur racing was front-and-center
on the 10-race betting card with members of three different amateur racing
organizations taking a seat behind a spirited steed. And when the judges
declared the races official, “Joltin Joe” Pennacchio won the Billings trot with
Connie Keeper in 2:01.1 and then came back two races later to score a 2:01
trotting triumph in the North American Amateur Drivers Association's trot
behind Cheeky Little Minx. A final amateur contest saw Bob Krivelin use the
front-end route for a 1:59.2 victory in the Catskill Amateur Club's pace.
Even though the program
marked the return of two-time National Amateur Driver of the Year “Hurricane
Hannah” Miller, the day really belonged to Joe Pennacchio. And although its
still early in the season talented driver and multiple horse owner is leading
his competitors for seasons-end awards. Currently, his 12 victories are tops
among the amateur driving colony.
In his first contest of the
day “Joltin' Joe" started from the from pole position with Connie Keeper
and was content to hug the pylons in the early going. After the half he moved
his charge to the outside and rallied alongside the leader and old warhorse,
Wygant Prince, only to ware him down in the deep stretch. Wygant Prince and
driver “Coach Paul” Minore held on for second while Better To Be Lucky finished
third for “Tough Tony” Ciuffetelli.
“I followed the leaders and
when I moved my mare she hung as we rounded the (final) turn but when we headed
for home she began to pull away and we went on the a two-length triumph,”
Pennacchio said.
Connie Keeper is owned by Dr
Scott Woogen and trained by Gary Messenger, She paid $5.10 for win.
Pennacchio's second win was
a laugher when his Cheeky Little Minx notched her fourth victory since her
purchase in early May. The 6-year-old Lucky Chucky mare ran away and hid on her
competition and cruised to an oh-so-easy 5-1/4 length triumph over Gianni (John
Campagnuolo). Woody and Bob Krivelin garnered the show dough.
“I have 11 horses currently
racing with three in the amateur ranks,” said Pennacchio, a retired CEO.
“We
bought “Cheeky” at an Ohio sale in early May and she's been stellar for us.
This was her fourth victory since we purchased her.”
Cheeky Little Miss is owned
by Pennacchio's, Joe P Racing, and trained by Allen Sisco. Sent off as the
odds-on favorite she returned a $3.20 mutuel.
The final amateur contest
was in the Catskill Amateur Drivers Pacing Series and when the dust settled Bob
Krivelin had guided TKR's Metro Spec to a gutsy gate to wire victory in a
1:59.2 clocking.
When the gate sprung in that
contest Krivelin sent his pacer to the lead from the pole position and they had
three lengths on the field when they passed by the first stanza. From there
Krivelin had to contend with a parked-out Idontthankyoucan (Bob Davis) who kept
unrelinquished pressure on TKO's Metro Spec. They then raced one-two past the
half and three quarters and were still heads apart when they headed for
paydirt. At the wire Krivelin's horse scooted away for one length victory over
Davis' charge. Hannah Miller finished third with Eagle Artesian. The winner is
trained by Bruce Aldrich, Sr.
“ I really like driving
Aldrich's horses because Bruce always has them ready when they hit the
racetrack,” Krivelin said after garnering his 217th career victory.
Owned by Woody Hoblitzell
TKO's Metro Spec paid $11.40
