Amateur driver Pennacchio doubles at Monticello
June 14, 2018,by John Manzi, for the North American Amateur Drivers Association
Monticello, NY — Joe Pennacchio is a happy man. And why shouldn’t he be?
After all, the talented amateur notched a driving double on the betting card at Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon (June 14). He won the North American Amateur Drivers Association Trot with Cheeky Little Minx immediately after winning the previous race with Super Manning. Both trotters are owned by Pennacchio’s JP Racing LLC and trained by Allen Sisco.
It is a rarity for an amateur driver to win two races on the same card, so that precipitated a question to Pennacchio: is this this first time he won a pair on a betting card? He thought for a moment and said “No,” and then continued, “At Pompano (Park) a few seasons ago, I won twice on the wagering program.”
The retired executive from Delray Beach, Fla. looked like a professional in executing both victories.
His victory with recently purchased Cheeky Little Minx was never in doubt after he sent the 6-year-old daughter of Lucky Chucky to the lead from the two-hole. They had two lengths on the field as the timer flashed :30.1 and from there, Cheeky Little Minx trotted nearly even fractions of :30.1, :30 and :30.1 en route to a 5-1/4 length triumph in 2:00.3 over Winwood Scout (David Glasser), with Pixel Queen and driver Joe Lee another length back in third place.
“I was just a passenger,” a modest Pennacchio said after his victory. He then added, “We bought her at the Ohio sale in early May, and now she has three wins in three starts for us since we purchased her. And if I might add, she’s a pleasure to drive.”
Sent off the prohibitive favorite, Cheeky Little Minx paid $2.70 to win.
That romping victory came after Pennacchio’s triumph in the previous race with Super Manning.
Also sent off as the betting favorite, racing luck played a big part in their victory in this contest.
Crystal Sphere, with Mike Merton driving, cut all the fractions and they had a four-length lead when they turned for home. In mid-stretch, Crystal Sphere went off stride, which opened the door for Pennacchio and Super Manning, whose best outcome to that point appeared to be a second-place finish.
“As Yogi Berra prolifically said, ‘It ain’t over till it’s over,’ and when the judge posted the ‘official’ sign, our number was on top,” Pennacchio said smiling.
Super Manning, a 10-year-old Diamond Goal gelding, returned $2.80 tp win.
“Joltin’ Joe” now has nine seasonal driving victories and 171 thus far in his illustrious career.