by David Krepow, for the AHDC

Cherry Hill, NJ — In a dazzling repeat performance, Colts Neck, New Jersey’s Joe Bongiorno steered Oh Whata Guy to victory in the third leg of the American Harness Drivers Club’s 2010 Fall Pacing Series on Friday (Oct. 22) at Freehold Raceway. It was the 17-year-old student’s second victory in three series starts in his rookie season with the AHDC.

Pulling out the blueprint from their score in leg two, Bongiorno settled Oh Whata Guy into position near the back of the pack as Washington, New Jersey’s George Munniksma attempted to steal the race from the get-go with I Am A Nut. He launched his charge away from the gate with punishing speed and immediately laid claim to a five length lead over his nearest competition, John Regina and Hop Sing.

Passing in front of the stands for the first time, I Am A Nut was already beginning to show the effects of the torrid early pace as Regina and Hop Sing were slicing into Munniksma’s advantage. Hovering on the outside were Mark Schullstrum and In The Gold N who had been traveling the overland route in an attempt to find a spot along the pylons. As the leaders funneled into the turn to the backside, Bongiorno finally pulled out the second leg playbook and flipped the switch on Oh Whata Guy. From the middle of the bus, the 4-year-old gelded son of Artiscape began to shine.

After being forced to tiptoe three-wide beyond Schullstrom, Oh Whata Guy quickly found the other gear and made easy work of Hop Sing and a now laboring I Am A Nut. At the three-quarter mark, Bongiorno had taken control and threatened to pull away. However, just before they could sail away into the blustery Freehold afternoon, Regina found an opening to step out beyond Munniksma and implored Hop Sing to find a few more drops of courage, to which he gamely complied. With the turn for home dead ahead, Bongiorno and Regina had distanced themselves from the rest of the field, turning the contest into a match race, albeit with Oh Whata Guy in command.

Entering the stretch, Bongiorno seemed to have affairs well in hand with a two length lead. Not quite ready to give up without one last punch, Regina ducked into the passing lane to make a desperate last-ditch attempt to rally Hop Sing. However, it was not to be as Oh Whata Guy had enough left in the tank to crank it up even another notch, easily escorting his young pilot under the wire to his second series victory, 3-1/2 lengths to the good. Time of the mile was 1:58.4 after fractions of :28.1, :57.4 and 1:28.4 over a fast racing surface under windy, overcast conditions.

Regina and Hop Sing were second while Munniksma and I Am A Nut hung on for a distant third place finish. Rounding out the field were BJs Cameo being steered by Bill D’Andrea, Alpha Man with Michael Nykun in his first AHDC start and Mark Schullstrom behind In The Gold N.

For Bongiorno, the win capped off quite a two-week span that only Hollywood dreams are made of. Not only did he claim victory in two legs of the AHDC’s Fall Pacing Series, he also scored in a division of the Billings Series at Saratoga Raceway. If that weren’t enough, through his family’s ties to New York Yankees Assistant Clubhouse Manager and Standardbred aficionado Joe Lee, young Joe served as batboy for the team during one of the more recent post season clinching games.

The American Harness Drivers Club returns to action at Freehold Raceway on Friday, Nov. 5, with the fourth leg of the 2010 Fall Pacing Series. For more information, visit www.ahdcracing.com.