STANDARDBRED BREEDERS & OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY

Representing the drivers, trainers, caretakers, breeders and owners of New Jersey

64 Business Route 33

Manalapan, NJ 07726

Phone: 732-462-2357

Fax: 732-409-0741

STANDARDBRED BREEDERS & OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY

Representing the drivers, trainers, caretakers, breeders and owners of New Jersey

64 Business Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726 

Phone: 732-462-2357 | Fax: 732-409-0741

BACK

ITALIAN AND AMERICAN AMATEURS FACE-OFF AT FREEHOLD

Katie Eick, for Freehold Raceway • September 7, 2024

The first two of ten races at Freehold Raceway on Friday, September 6, showcased four Italian amateur, or “gentleman” drivers racing against four American amateur drivers as one of the pit-stops on the Italians’ tour of America and American harness racing in celebration of the International Trot week ...

FREEHOLD, NJ -- September 6, 2024 -- The first two of ten races at Freehold Raceway on Friday, September 6, showcased four Italian amateur, or “gentleman” drivers racing against four American amateur drivers as one of the pit-stops on the Italians’ tour of America and American harness racing in celebration of the International Trot week. 



The drivers hailing from Italy were Michele Bechis, Vittorio Bosia, Enrico Colombino, and Graziano Reggiani. The drivers representing the USA were John Calabrese, Paul Minore, Yogi Sheridan, and Matt Zuccarello. They faced off once at a trot and once at a pace; the horses they drove were drawn by lot.


In the trot leg, Paul Minore took control of the race, leading the field the entire way aboard Hold Me Closer- the lone mare in the field. He led by 3 3/4 lengths at the half and though his lead only got smaller after that, he managed to hold on to win by 1 ½ lengths with the Jenna Cornelison trainee.  Vittorio Bosia finished second with his mount. A late-charging John Calabrese caught up with Enrico Colombino to dead-heat for third.


Paul Minore went on to score a driving double on the card when he drove his own Pilsner Frosty to an upset victory in race six at 7-1.


The pace leg was a similar story although this time it was Matt Zuccarello with the wire-to-wire victory behind the Izzy Estrada trained Maddy N Maggie. Although the winner was clear (winning by over 16 lengths), the rest of the field still battled for second. Vittorio Bosia secured another second place finish impressively with his 41-1 shot Girl Almighty for trainer John Urbanski. John Calabrese and Enrico Colombino were close behind for third and fourth, respectively. 


NAADA President and event organizer Joe Faraldo says, "This competition has been ongoing with the USA and Italy for over 35 years with intercontinental exchanges and many US amateurs experiencing the hospitality of our Italian friends. While it is quite an undertaking to hose foreign drivers, it is one our American horsemen have embraced and it is refreshing to see the support for this event by the Freehold horsemen."


Freehold Raceway would like to thank the horsemen for allowing their horses to participate in this event and for being so welcoming to the guests. Live racing continues tomorrow (Sep. 7) starting at 12:30pm. Next week kicks off the first of five weeks of an extra day of racing each week- races will be held on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays now through October 10.

By Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager July 22, 2025
A total of 21 horses entered Tuesday for the 100th edition of the Hambletonian Stakes for 3-year-old trotters, resulting in three $83,550 eliminations on Saturday (July 26) at The Meadowlands ...
By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations July 20, 2025
Yo Tillie maintained her current standing as the top horse in her division and Onajetplane threw his hat into the ring as a Hambletonian contender Saturday night at The Meadowlands when four divisions of the Tompkins-Geers Stake were contested for 3-year-old trotters of each sex ...
By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations July 19, 2025
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- July 18, 2025 -- Be Perfect BG made good on her name Friday night at The Meadowlands, remaining unbeaten in four lifetime starts after taking the lone filly pace when seven $25,000 divisions of the second leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for 2-year-olds were contested for horses of each sex and gait ...
By Tim Bojarski, for Plainridge Park July 19, 2025
Twin B Joe Fresh, the 2024 Dan Patch Horse of the Year, will be making her first-ever appearance in Massachusetts on Sunday (July 20) when she ships to Plainridge Park to start in the $100,000 Grade 3 Clara Barton Distaff Pace ...
By Courtney Stafford July 18, 2025
The SBOANJ supplemental yearling nomination payments are due August 15th ...
By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations July 17, 2025
His horse didn’t cross the finish line first, but that was OK with trainer Cam Capone, whose Madden Oaks was placed first after Prince Hal Hanover was disqualified and placed second in Saturday (July 12) night’s $656,000 Meadowlands Pace for 3-year-olds at The Meadowlands ...
More Posts