by Joseph Faraldo, president, North American Amateur Drivers Association

The fifth Magna Grecia got underway here at the Hippodromo Paolo Sesto on Saturday night, July 31, with ten drivers seeking the winner’s circle. But it was Germany’s Claus tho Seeth who was the winner. He left from the rail, sat still for a brief spell, and then burst into the lead and no one had a chance to catch him. Second and third places went to two Italians who chased the winner home.

Donato Corelli, the propriotario of the Hippodromo, marched out to present the Trofeo to Claus while the band played the German National Anthem.

In the Consolation race, the Sicilian driver, Antonnio Cotonne, who once drove my trotter Spring Glide in an amateur race at the Meadowlands, was the winner. While I cut them a good mile, Cotonne and three others trotted past me in the homestretch and they never even waved goodbye.

The Consolation, which was the last race on the card, went off at 12:30 in the morning — an hour earlier than the previous evening’s finale. That was followed by the customary dinner and exchange of gifts by all the countries. Our host, Donato Corelli, and his lovely daughters also joined us.

The evening’s events saw the finalists in the Magna Grecia introduced by baton twirling cheerleaders, jousters on horseback, and ancient carriages to entertain the crowds and introduce the foreigners to the public.

Also on the card was the Gran Premio di Taranto and its 66,000 Euro purse contested by some of the best horses in Italy. Showing up in the event was our own expatriate and now resident of Palma, Jertry Riordan, now an Italian harness trainer and aficionado. He was joined by notable owner and gentleman driver Cesare Mele of Florence along with the very capable driver from Piemonte, Andrea Guzzinate, whose dad drove in the International Trot at Roosevelt Raceway many, many years ago.

Though the Riordan-trained horse fared well, the victory belonged to my friend Guzzinate and his connections. Riordan faced an arduous nine hour drive back to Palma. Wow, things are sure a bit different on the Continent for trainers than in the USA or are they?

The dinner lasted until 2 a.m. and everyone said their goodbyes and darted off to as far away as Hungary, the USA and New Zealand, where the 2012 World Cup of Amateur Racing will be contested on the North and South Islands.

My Italian trip was very enjoyable but once again the best that I can say is that there is always next year.