Torino, Italy — Paul Minore, driving Zayn Malik, coasted to a picture-perfect victory in the first leg of the Italian-American Friendship competition at Ippodromo Vinovo, in Torino, Italy, on Wednesday (Sept. 20).

Paul bested the favorite Corsaro Gams, driven by Michele Bechis of Italy, who led coming for home but only hung on to barely best Alan Schwartz for the place money. All in all, the U.S. fared very well in the 1-1/4-mile event with John Calabrese, driving Visa di Casei, rounding out America’s best performance with a fourth-place finish.

In the second division, Alan Schwartz attempted to steal one, but Enrico Colombino of Italy popped out first-up and sat chilly with his own Singapore to win while never in doubt. The Italians also garnered a third and fourth to make things tight.

On Thursday (Sept. 21), two final races at the track in Albenga, Ippodromo Dei Fiori, on the Italian riviera, will determine the winner of the competition.