Harness driver George Brennan didn't need the luck of the Irish in capturing the St. Patrick’s Day Pace at Freehold Raceway on Saturday.
“It was like shooting fish in a barrel,” Brennan said. “It was that easy. My horse got a dream trip in the outside flow and we were mailed home.”
Brennan was driving Absolutely Michael, a 6-1 mild longshot and they paid $14.40 to win. Andwin Hanover (Corey Callahan) finished second as the betting favourite and Superbo Hanover (Jim Marohn Jr.) was third.
The race featured only drivers of Irish heritage, include two drivers who were born and raised in Ireland: last year’s winner, Irish Joe Hanney, and Jonathon Dunne.
“What a great race for me to win,” Brennan added. “It was special this year because fellow horseman Derek Delaney and his family came over from Ireland and brought with them a special blanket for the race presentation. They also sponsor the richest race in all of Ireland and the UK, the Vincent Delaney Memorial, and I think it’s wonderful that they have come here to promote their special race. I am seriously considering heading over there this year.”
The race got away over a sloppy, rain-soaked track with Csardas and driver John Sheehan getting parked out from the rail by Andwin Hanover in :28.2 to the opening quarter.
Then after the half in :58.3, Callahan came back first up against Csardas with Andwin Hanover, but could not clear until the three-quarter mile marker in 1:28.2.
Meanwhile, Superbo Hanover and Marohn Jr. grabbed second over cover, and sitting third over getting the dream trip was Brennan with Absolutely Michael.
Andwin Hanover cleared to the lead and kept Superbo Hanover at bay, but Brennan had saved plenty of steam with Absolutely Michael and blew by at the wire to win with ease by one and one-half lengths.
The win was the first in 10 starts for Absolutely Michael. The nine-year-old gelded son of Western Hanover is trained by Troyce Thomas and is owned by Kubi Michael Erzene of Bordentown, New Jersey.
“What a grand race it was today,” said sponsor Derek Delaney. “The rain didn’t help, but what a masterful drive by George Brennan. Everyone was so friendly and outgoing, a real pleasure to be here and I have to think I want to do it again next year!"
Derek Delaney and his family are touring the USA over the next week, making appearances at the Meadowlands, Yonkers Raceway and the Meadows in addition to Freehold. He will also be promoting race fans to come over to Ireland for the Delaney Memorial.
“We have developed this race weekend into something unique,” Delaney explained. “It’s sort of the Little Brown Jug, Hambletonian and Gold Cup & Saucer all rolled into one with an Irish twist to it!
“We want to invite everyone to check out our website at vincentdelaneymemorial.com and see what we are talking about.”
Recently Derek and James Delaney were honoured world-wide as a story on their late brothers race won the 2015 World Trotting Conference International Media Award as the best news story in harness racing.
(Steve Wolf)