Pompano Beach, FL — The highly anticipated Italian-American Amateur Driving Challenge began its two night, four-race event on Sunday (Feb. 27) at Pompano Park with the Italian regime escaping with a 52-50 lead halfway through the event.

Tony Dinges sent BJAnthony knifing through late to kick off the festivities in the Italian-American Amateur Challenge. Jessica Hallett photo.

Sponsored by the Florida Amateur Driving Club, Team USA began the festivities by taking a 28-23 lead after round one as Tony Dinges gave BJAnthony a picture perfect drive to score in the opener, guiding the 10-year-old gelded son of Credit Winner to a 1:57.2 win measuring a neck over Keystone Blade (Joe Pennacchio representing Team Italy) with The Big Muscle (Dein Spriggs-Team USA) third. Everyone’s Talkin (Ron Cusimano–Team Italy) rallied for fourth while Explosive Motion (Jamie Marra-Team Italy) was next in the field of nine.

Trained by Jennifer Giuliani for owners Terence Miller and Mark Keller, BJAnthony won for the 46th time in his career measuring 249 starts, sending his lifetime earnings to $320,062. Off as fourth choice at 6-1, he paid $15.20 to win.

Shortly after, torrential rains which eventually forced the track to cancel after the fourth race, turned the fast track into sloppy within just a few minutes as round two of the challenge appeared on the track for the post parade.

Tommy Santeramo gave Forbidden Song a classic drive to enable the Italian team to take a narrow lead. Jessica Hallett photo.

In that event, Forbidden Song, given perfect rating by Tommy Santeramo (Team Italy), was a near gate-to-wire winner in 2:02.3 off panels of :30.1, 1:02.2, 1:32 and then home in :30.3 for the one length score. Ongoing Royalty (Alessandro Manfredi-Team Italy) went a game mile first over the final lap to be second while Keystone Orion (Gary Barbere-Team USA) was next. Chav Hanover (Dennis Whittemore-Team USA) was moved up and placed fourth on a disqualification while Show Me The Magic (John Campagnuolo-Team USA) picked up the nickel in the field of nine.

While we couldn’t get comments from Tommy Sanateramo, Andy Santeramo, Tommy’s father, played the role of “proud papa” saying, “I can’t tell you how proud I am of Tommy. He’s got natural talent and a clock in his head. He gave that horse rating like they did in the 1960s and he sure made me a proud papa tonight.”

Trained by Donna Riedel for owner Johanna Calvert, Forbidden Song, a 7-year-old gelded son of Forbidden, earned his initial win of the season and 21st lifetime to send his lifetime bounty to $160,201. Off as co-second choice at 9-2, Forbidden Song paid $11.40 to win.

With Team Italy taking round two 29 to 22, they emerged with that two point lead going into the final night of competition on the Monday program.

After that event, yet another downpour hit the area, leaving the track in an unsafe racing condition and the remainder of the Sunday program was canceled.

Post time for Monday is set at 7:20 p.m.