Padova, Italy – After two days on the beach under wispy clouds and 90 degree heat the USA team was scooted off to the Padovanella Hippodromo in Padova Italy. There USA team members Joe Faraldo and Alan Schwartz duked it out down the lane of this historic half-mile track. When the dust and shouting was over Joe Faraldo emerged victorious. For Joe it was a return to the place where he got his first pari-mutuel win many years ago. Alan took the place spot and the Americans were on top.

In the next event Alan dropped his longshot into the two hole and though shuffled back a bit emerged on the top of the lane to garner yet another second. As a result the USA team had 64 points to Italy’s 40. Truly rewarding but as Yogi Berra use to say: “it ain’t over till it’s over.”as the Italians have four more races to close the gap and try to surge a comeback which they are very capable of doing.

The cherry on top of the cake for team USA was seeing our dear friend Mauritzio Biasuzzi and his lovely wife Marinella and competing and chatting with the former World Champion amateur driver who has nearly 1,000 wins.

The competition moves on to Montecatini then Cesena Thursday and Friday.