International Friendship Challenge at Agnano

After getting grounded in Germany because of a strike at the airport Hannah Miller, along with her boyfriend Nick Surick, found another way to get to Naples for the harness racing International Friendship Challenge which began today (Friday) at Agnano race track.

With the visiting Americans now at full strength–Hannah missed the opening ceremonies on Thursday due to the airport strike–the 10 drivers were ready to do battle in the first of the Challenge races.

Despite being on unfamiliar turf the visiting Americans made a strong showing on the first day of competition in the Friendship Challenge, especially Dein Spriggs, who won the second Challenge trot and Hannah Miller, who had a second place finish in the first Friendship Challenge race.

In the second event Pennacchio hustled his charge to the lead while Spriggs settled in fifth position on inside and Hannah got away stuck on the limb. Oldford's trotter made a break early and Mitchell's horse was never got in contention.

Spriggs sat chilly with a very live horse while pinned in as Pennacchio cut the mile. When Hannah's trotter tired it allowed Spriggs to see daylight and he angled his horse to the outside and took the lead and then charged home an easy winner.

In the earlier race Hannah went to the lead and then let Joe Pernnacchio take command, which he did but then he allowed an Italian to cut the fractions.

When the field headed down back side both Pennacchio and Hannah got shuffled farther back as another Italian cleared to the front. When the field rounded the final turn and headed for paydirt , Hannah pushed her way out and began a charge but her trotter fell just a neck short and they finished a very creditable second.. Pennacchio finished fifth, Steve Oldford was sixth and Dein Spriggs and Mike Mitchell's horses both made breaks and they were disqualified.

The afternoon action on day- one of the Friendship Competition. was related by both Nick Surick and Steve Oldford and it was a delighted Oldford who spoke for Team USA when he said; "Our Italian friends are treating us to mucho wine and fine food," and then he added ,"Viva Italia!!"

Racing continues Saturday with one race slated for the Friendship Challenge. The Gran Premio Lotteria will be raced on Sunday and prior to that event there will be a final race in the USA vs Italy Friendship Challenge.

John Manzi