by John Berry, for the Italian-American Driving Challenge

Pompano Beach, FL — The amateur competition between the United States and Italy came to an end over the weekend with the Italians edging the Americans in the event that went down to the final stride in the final race.

The final score was 44-40.

Photo courtesy of Steve Oldford

Ippodromo dei pin track’s Carlo Meli is flanked by, left to right, Steve Oldford, Dein Spriggs, Dr. Scott Woogen and Joe Pennacchio.

After the quartet of races held at Hippodrome di Agnano in Naples where Elena Villani, the only female participant in the competition dominated, the event moved to the Ippodromo dei pin, located in Follonica, just yards from the Mediterranean Sea.

American Steve Oldford captured the opening race by guiding the Uronometro gelding Ralph Malph KYU to a handy victory over the 1,400 meter (about seven-eighths of a mile) course. This race was contested at 1,600 meters (about one mile) with American Dr. Scott Woogen second with Prinzy Bee Power.

Dr. Woogen, by the way, is a gastroenterologist who has traveled to several European countries and “Down Under” to compete in amateur events over the past three decades.

Oldford followed his win by finishing second with Polpettine to Rajah Petral, driven by Stefano Baldi, in a 2,200 meter (1.367 miles) event while Dein Spriggs finished fourth with Noodles Bieffe.

The final day of competition was held at Montecatini track, Ippodromo Sesana, with Oldford finishing second in the opening event and Woogen and Spriggs also adding to the American point total, setting up the finale with the title in the balance.

In that final event, it took the photo finish camera to separate Talita’s Cage, driven by Roberto Giannoni, and Pleasant Jolly, handled by Joe Pennacchio, to determine the championship with the Italian contingent the narrow winner.

In summing up the “competitive, but friendly” competition, Oldford said, “Winning over the magnificent Follonica racecourse was one of the highlights of my career. Competition like this can go a long way in promoting our great sport and breed. This can promote harmony throughout the world and these reciprocal visits between our countries proves that. We develop lifelong bonds and friendships during this competition and the memories are grand and lifelong and all my “brothers” here with us, Joe (Pennacchio), Dein (Spriggs) and Dr. Scott (Woogen) were honored to be a part of this celebration of harness racing.”