by Darrell Wood, publicity director, Colonial Downs

New Kent, VA — Driver Nicolo Venturi scored a win for Italy in the Capitol Area Amateur Drivers Association Americans against Italian challenge at Colonial Downs on Friday night, November 4. Venturi guided Fernand Paquet and Daniel Cartner’s Captain Americam to the winner’s circle with a patient drive.

Captain Americam was quick off the gate and took command of the race down the backstretch, cutting the opening quarter in :27.1. American Charles Robbins sent Rude Native, part of the 1-2 favored entry, to the lead nearing the end of the backstretch and Venturi was able to secure a pocket trip around the turn. Kenneth Weckstein sent All Special Ks on a bold first-over trip sweep around the turn to take command of the race as Captain Americam was shuffled back to third.

All Special Ks was a length and a quarter in front of Rude Native at the top of the stretch and Captain Americam was another length back in third. Venturi guided Captain Americam to the outside and the nine-year-old Cambest gelding responded with a devastating stretch rally to blow the race wide open.

Captain Americam surged to the lead right before the eighth pole and widened to a four and three-quarter length victory in 1:55. All Special Ks was second and Krispy Bacon closed well for third under the direction of Scott Woogen.

Venturi won for the Italian team, but the Americans took second, third and fourth. Donato Vigano was the Italian’s next best as he guided Fred N Full Stride to a fifth place finish.