The REAL Italian Stallion

"Italian Stallion" -- What's the first thing that comes to mind?

Okay, besides my husband, I can think of three things......

First, Sylvester Stallone, but that thought quickly leaves my mind so as to avoid vomiting.

Then, Rocky Marciano. Sure he retired undefeated, he was heavyweight champion, blah blah blah......boxing doesn't thrill me that much.

But then I think of perhaps the most fascinating piece of machinery ever created...... the pride of Italia for over 75 years.......and perhaps the most well known brand in motorsports --

the Ferrari.

Yes, my friends, the true "Italian Stallion" is and always will be the Ferrari....does anyone care to argue that point? Well, let's just take a look at history...the whole idea of the 'stallion' as the Ferrari logo came from an air force ace in World War I named Baracca. Francesco Baracca always had a prancing black stallion painted on the side of his planes, which made way for his nickname, the "cavalier of the skies.' Apparently Enzo Ferrari made the acquaintance of the noble Baracca family after his death, and was asked by Francesco's mother to put her son's horse on his cars for good luck. And so the Ferrari stallion emblem was born....

You may be asking yourself, what is the point of all this investigation into the real Italian Stallion? Well it's a dirty job, but someone's got to end the bitter confusion that plagues the majority of Italian-Americans who desperately seek answers to life altering questions such as these....

Okay, maybe not. But some Italian out there must (should) care....and so....this one's for you.