Yonkers, NY – The NAADA $15,000 Summer Series Final was a barn-burner when only three lengths separated the winner from the last place finisher, Friday (Aug.23). Driver Joe Pennacchio’s 1:59.3 triumph in the event didn’t come easy.

Up behind his own Cheeky Little Minx in the seven-horse contest which was presented before the first race on the betting card at Yonkers Raceway, Pennacchio left the gate from the five-hole and his veteran trotting mare never saw the pylons the entire mile and by all standards she went a very gutsy trip.

When the gate sprung Joe Faraldo and Tough Get Going darted to the front and were challenged by Paul Minore and Wygant Prince. Faraldo yielded command to Wygant Prince as Pennacchio and Cheeky Little Minx wanted a part of the action and challenged on the outside as the leaders trotted by the first stanza in :28.2.

As they headed for the halfway point Pennacchio and Minore were going at it and the two raced side by side to the half in :58.2 while being stalked on the outside by Cheeky Little Minx.

Wygant Prince showed the way to the three-quarters and put away Tough Get Going but the veteran trotter couldn’t shake the plucky little mare. As they rounded the final turn Cheeky Little Minx and Wygant Prince were noses apart before the latter began to fade. At that point Hannah Miller hustled Jacks To Open up alongside Cheeky Little Minx and the two raced as a team all the way to the wire. It took a photo to determine that Pennacchio’s mare was a head better than Hannah’s veteran trotter. Broadway Bruiser took home the show dough for Matt Zuccarello.