by John Manzi for the
Billings Series
Freehold, NJ--”Joltin'
Joe” Pennacchio, last years Amateur Driver of the Year” fortified his 2019
credentials with a driving victory in the CK Billings Series Eastern Region at
Freehold Raceway on Saturday, May 18. Up behind his classy old veteran, Super
Manning, Pennacchio made a first -over move going to the half hold up for a
2:01.3 triumph.
After starting from the
four-hole “Joltin' Joe” angled his trotter to the pylons as Caravelle (“Buffalo
Bob” Davis) and Uriel and Annie “Get Your Gun” Stoebe , battled for command
past the quarter in :29.2. But as soon as Uriel was clear on the front-end
Pennacchio moved Super Manning first-up and they had the lead at the halfway
point with Landonfitz (Dave “the Rave” Offenberg) and Noble Warrawee (Bob “the
Headhunter” Hechkoff) in hot pursuit.
At the third stanza Super
Manning had a length and a half lead which was opened to 2-1/4 lengths as the
field headed for paydirt. However, in mid-stretch Offenberg, with Landonfitz
and Hechkoff with Noble Warrawee ,came with a rush and the leaders were
side-by-side as they approached the finish. But Super Manning would not be
denied and held-on for a neck triumph over Landonfitz. Right there in the
photo, just a head behind the top two, was Noble Warrawee.
For defending amateur
champion, Joe Pennacchio, it marked his 5th win this season and
which increased his UDR to.314. Since first sitting behind a spirited steed in
1995 Pennacchio now has driven 182 winners in the USA, along with a few in
Europe.
Owned by Joe P Racing and
trained by Allen Sisco, Super Manning paid $5.00 for win.
Next Billings action will be
on Friday May 24th at Scioto Downs in the series mid-west division.
