Monticello, NY — After spending the winter competing in amateur races at Pompano Park, Joe Pennacchio, last year’s Amateur Driver of the Year, moved north and made his first start in this season’s North American Amateur Drivers’ Association (NAADA) trotting series a winning one when he guided his own Cash For Gold to an easy two-length triumph in 1:59.4 at Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon (April 11).

Joe Pennacchio drove Cash For Gold to victory in Thursday’s NAADA event at Monticello Raceway. Geri Schwarz photo.

“It wasn’t easy because he’s a high-strung individual and he wears your arms out prior to the start,” Pennacchio offered after the race was completed. “He’s a nervous sort who latches on prior to the race so much so that I have to take him back to the paddock to rest my arms and then go behind the gate when we’re called to do so.”

After starting from the seven-hole as the second choice, Pennacchio sent his trotter toward the front but smartly took a tuck before the :29.3 first quarter. However, he didn’t stay there long and moved to the outside as the field, led by last week’s winner Tough Get Going (Joe Faraldo), approached the halfway point in :59.3.

When the leaders straightened up the backside and headed for three-quarters, Cash For Gold pressured Tough Get Going. The latter rebuffed the former and Faraldo’s charge still had command as the three-quarter timer flashed 1:29.4.

In the lane, Monica Banca and favorite High Blue were sitting along the pylons in third position and looking for daylight, but racing room in the lane never appeared until mid-stretch. When Banca was able to send her trotter up the pylons, it was too late, as Cash For Gold trotted clear to score the victory. Tough Get Going held on for the show dough.

“He has been prone to making breaks on the double ovals, but this was one of his best miles on a half-mile track,” a happy Pennacchio said.

Owned by Joe P Racing and trained by Allen Sisco, the winner scored his first victory of the season and returned $6.90 to win.

In the quest to determine who will represent NAADA in an amateur competition in Italy later this year, Joe Faraldo, with 29 points, leads Joe Lee (22), Bob Krivelin (21), Paul Minore (16), Alan Schwartz (16) and Monica Banca (16). At the end of the series, the top three in points will vie for a chance to get an all expense-paid trip to represent NAADA against the Italians in an international competition.