USA World Amateur Cup competition to Larry Ferrari

Pompano Beach, FL, March 28, 2022 – Larry Ferrari, one of three amateur harness racing drivers outside of the Florida Amateur Drivers Club invited to the World Cup eliminations at Pompano Park, earned an invitation to that prestigious event by finishing 2-1-2 in his three events at Pompano Park on Sunday night (March 27).

Ferrari, from Macedonia, Ohio, finished the competition with 44 points, edging out Tony Dinges by five points as four of the seven remaining amateur drivers in the competition had a chance to earn the top spot going into the final leg of the six-race event.

Dein Spriggs was third with 38 points while Ron Cusimano was next with 37. Robert Krivelin, Joe Pennacchio, Jamie Marra and Tony Verruso (who defected from the competition after round one) completed the roster with 33, 32, 22 and 10 points, respectively.

After the first round last Sunday, Dein Spriggs had a precarious 29-23 lead but that tightened up as Tony Dinges won with the 14 to 1 outsider Better Call Saul, trained by Frankie Bambrick for Lee Clarke, in 1:58.1. Ferrari, handling the lines back of Somebodygetdisfool, was second while Cusimano was in the bike overcoming the outside post to finish third with Ricky Be Sharp.

BETTER CALL SAUL REPLAY

In the next race, Ferrari made a sharp quarter move to the top with Rose Run Rudi and repelled a serious bid from the favored Loyal Fox Hanover (Dinges) to score in 1:56.2 for owner-trainer Fannie Saul-Beaulieu. Mr Houdini (Marra) was third as Ferrari moved on even terms with Spriggs with Dinges just two points back heading into the final leg.

ROSE RUN RUDI REPLAY

Cusimano took care of things in that one by driving What A Pittstop to victory in 1:57.3 while Ferrari sealed his invitation by finishing second with No Wine For You. Phoenician (Pennacchio) was next but the outcome was already cast in stone.

WHAT A PITTSTOP REPLAY

Said Ferrari after the event, “It was just an honor to compete in this event. I thought it was wonderful that the Florida Amateur Drivers Club invited us three outsiders to compete. They certainly didn’t have to do that.

“The competition was really excellent and we all had a chance to go to Italy…it was that competitive. As for my driving, well, the highlight for me, of course, was the Rose Run Rudi race. That one responded just as I asked after the opening quarter and he drove just like a Ferrari all the way home. Around the final turn, I had to step on the gas a little and, just like the car, I had more horse power in the tank!

“I just want to thank the Amateur Club here in Florida for the invitation. They have been so great to me here.”

Driver Ferrari is no stranger to the winner’s circle having 366 wins during a career stretching back 25 years.

The World Amateur Cup competition, to begin in Italy in September, will feature amateur drivers from some 14 countries with races held in Rome, Milan and Florence.

The FADC has donated over $240,000 to worthy charitable organizations since their inception with their membership donating all earnings from driving in their events to the cause, including donations to The Standardbred Retirement Foundation, Tomorrow’s Rainbow, Bit by Bit, The Make-A-Wish Foundation and The Christian Harness Horseman’s Association, to name a few.

Another highlight of the Sunday night was the presence of Hall of Fame Announcer Roger Huston, who called races two through eight, pushing his lifetime number of races called closer to 200,000.

For full race results, click here.

by John Berry, for the FADC