Highly regarded three-year-old colt pacer Shadyshark Hanover was among the sophomores returning from winter breaks in this morning’s qualifiers at Meadowlands Racetrack
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Also in action were colt trotter Dejarmbro, who went off stride early and finished fourth in 2:01.3, and colt pacer Fashion Delight, who was second in 1:56.3, with a :26.3 final quarter mile.
Last year, Shadyshark Hanover won a division of the Nassagaweya and finished second to Big Jim in the Breeders Crown, Governor’s Cup and a division of the Champlain. He ended the season with $524,832. He is owned by the Shadyshark Stable, which features trainer Erv Miller, John Fielding, Jim Fielding, Ron Michelon, Jerry Silva and Richard Strachan.
Tim Tetrick drove Shadyshark Hanover this morning. The colt was second through three-quarters in 1:30.1 before sprinting home in :25.4 to win by 5-1/4 lengths. Sir Ziggys Z Tam was second.
“(Shadyshark Hanover) was wrapped up and Tim said he drove perfect,” Miller said. “(The three-quarters) was pretty slow for that type of horse, but Tim said he just sat in there real manageable. The track was a little heavy today. We’ll probably qualify again next week.
“He’s come back super so far. Hopefully he can stay that way. I’m letting him tell us (what to do). All winter he was really good. He’s filled out and feeling good.”
Creme De Cocoa, handled by trainer/driver D.R. Ackerman, won by 2-1/4 lengths over Madam Stacey in 1:59.3 this morning. She trotted the final quarter in :28.1.
“She was very good, as good as could have been expected for the first time out,” Ackerman said. “She’s eating well and getting back into the system. We’re getting everything in order.”
Creme De Cocoa last year won three of 12 races -- including the Kentuckiana Stallion Management and American-National Stakes -- on her way to $328,090 for breeder/owner Doug Ackerman Stable. She was second to Thatsnotmyname in the Merrie Annabelle. The filly spent the winter in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Ackerman expects her to race in the New Jersey Sire Stakes in June before heading to Canada for the Elegantimage Stakes. He was uncertain about her immediate future.
“I don’t know what we’ll do as far as qualifiers or putting her in a race,” Ackerman said. “I’ll check her out before I make my next move. Yesterday is history and tomorrow’s a mystery; I’m living in the moment.”
Dejarmbro, who was driven today by trainer Trond Smedshammer, won eight of 11 races last year, including the New York Sire Stakes championship. He went off stride in all three of his losses.
Fashion Delight, driven by David Miller for trainer Jim Campbell, finished 1-1/2 lengths behind Sir Jonathan Z Tam in his qualifier. Last season, Fashion Delight won five of 11 races, including the Woodrow Wilson.
This story courtesy of Harness Racing Communications, a division of the U.S. Trotting Association. For more information, visit ustrotting.com.