History was made at Freehold Raceway on opening day (August 27), as 86-year-old Tony Dandeo became the oldest driver to win a race in New Jersey harness racing history.
Dandeo was named to drive Stick That Lip Out in the 10th race for owner August Santore and trainer John Wyatt. Dandeo immediately sent his drive to the front and opened up a long lead against the other, more inexperienced horses. As they turned for home, favoured Never Not Dancing and Devious Delight both closed ground, but no one was able to catch Stick That Lip Out, who crossed the line two lengths in front. The final time was 1:59.2.
The win was the 234th in Dandeo's career, which has spanned several decades. His most recent win came on April 15, 2016, when he guided Mickey Blu to victory.
Dandeo, who turned 86 on August 21, broke the record for oldest driver to win a harness race in New Jersey. The previous record was held by George McCandless, who drove Kehms Scooter to victory at Freehold on October 20, 1994 at age 83.
The Ron Burke brigade invaded Freehold Raceway on opening day, and came away with three winners.
Burke started the day with a win in Race 2, when Joe Bongiorno guided two-year-old trotter Southwind Arturo to a maiden-breaking win by 3-1/2 lengths. A few races later, Burke and Bongiorno teamed up again, as odds-on choice Hot As Hill won the first division of the first leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes - Standardbred Development Fund for three-year-old filly trotters. Sent off as the 1-20 favourite, she won by four lengths in 1:58.1, for her third win of the year from 12 starts.
One race later, Burke sent out favoured Feelin Red Hot in the Fillies & Mares Preferred Handicap, with George Brennan in tow. She and driver George Brennan delivered as the favourites, pacing the mile in 1:54 for her fifth win of the season.
Burke had a chance at four winners with Avenir in the eighth race, the second division of the NJSS-SDF, but she broke early on and ended up fourth. The race went to Pub Crawl, who trotted in 1:58 for trainer Julie Miller and driver Andy Miller.
Live harness racing continues at Freehold on Saturday (August 28), with a scheduled first post of 12:30 p.m.
(Freehold)