by John Manzi, for the NAADA

Monticello, NY — Some might have figured that since the visiting Spaniards had never drove pacers that the USA team would have an advantage in the second leg of the Spain vs. USA Friendship Competition on the Wednesday (June 3) card at Monticello Raceway. But that never materialized because in the first of the two races on the card Spain’s Bernado Cirer not only was victorious but his countrymen finished second, third and fourth.
However, Matt Zuccarello got the USA team off the schneid when he reined the winner in the second event.

In the first event, race three on the card, Cirer gunned Caviart Jet for the lead and they gained command before the quarter-pole and Cirer didn’t seem to care that the horse he was parking out Camcracker Dynasty, driven by teammate Jaume Riera.

After the :29 first quarter the Spaniards raced head-to-head to the half in :59.3 and they were still heads apart as they passed the three quarters in 1:30. However when they headed for pay dirt Christopher Bliss, driven by Spain’s Agustin Pou, overtook Camcracker Dynasty to garner second place but couldn’t catch Caviart Jet who went on to a two-length victory. Christopher Bliss faded to third in the 2:00 clocked mile. And to add insult to injury for the Americans Miquel Capo finished fourth with Fifth Wave giving the visiting Spaniards the top four placings.

However, there was one caveat that might have changed the race outcome. When the field headed for home Hot Pistol and Alan Schwartz, who had been stalking Caviart Jet throughout the mile, took advantage of the passing lane and they were poised to go on by the leader until Schwartz’s charge went off-stride and they lost all chance.

After the race, Cirer, a carpenter by trade in Mallorca, felt super. “I’m very happy” he said in broken English. “I was second at Yonkers yesterday and I win today at Monticello. I love America.”

The winner, Caviart Jet, is owned and trained by Steve Moore. He paid $8.40 for win.

However, the NAADA team did get revenge in the second division, race five, when Matt Zuccarello won with Remus Blue Chip in a time of 1:59.1.

In a race in which there were two tiers of pacers for most of the mile, Zuccarello and Remus Blue Chip were hung on the outside in second-over position.

“I was stuck on the limb from the start but I wasn’t alone. There were others parked, too,” Zuccarello said. “I had little choice other than to stay behind cover and I sat calmly and waited.

“The field was tightly packed as we headed to the three-quarters so I slipped three- deep and my horse gained the lead and from there he was strong all the way to the finish line.”

Tylers Great, who cut all the fractions on the front-end, finished second for Spanish amateur Miquel Capo. Hannah Miller came from far back with Delco Tross for third money. The USA’s Gerry Fielding was fourth with 35-1 shot Wink And Nod.

The winner, Remus Hanover, is owned and trained by Herbert Lux III. He paid $5.10 to win.

After the points for the first two legs were totaled Team America is all but finished trailing the Spaniards 78 to 48.

“We need a miracle at Tioga (Downs) on Friday,” said NAADA president Joe Faraldo.