Cromer captures big milestone in FADC

Pompano Beach, FL…February 1, 2022… Don Cromer, Gary Barbere and Brian Calvert were the driving stars in their respective Florida Amateur Driving Club events on Sunday and Monday as each celebrated a milestone of sorts in their respective harness racing careers in the sulky.

With the FADC only hosting three or four events weekly, Cromer won a Sunday trot with his newly acquired Muay Hanover in 1:59.4 giving him his 500th career driving victory. Cromer drove his first winner in the mid-1970’s and has only sparingly appeared in the sulky since 1997. It was his first win since 2019 and only his second since 2010 with but a handful of drives. Muay Hanover, by the way, is an eight year-old rare grey gelded son of Donato Hanover and now has earnings of $179,311. He paid $4.80 to win.

It took a couple of weeks to do it, but driver Gary Barbere got a driving triple with his own P L Jerico, trained by 86 year-old Odell Thompson.

This nine year-old altered son of Manofmanymissions won on Sunday in 1:58.1, wiring his foes in the process. Not only was this his third straight win for Barbere, it was a milestone 25th lifetime win for P L Jerico with his previous wins being on January 23 in 1:58.3 and January 16 in 1:57. P L Jerico paid $4.20 to his multitude of faithful.

On Monday night, Brian Calvert was back in the winner’s circle with Ricky Be Sharp, trained by Donna Riedel for owner Johanna Calvert.

The six year-old gelded son of American Native, who won for Calvert on January 23, made it two in a row as January closed the books with a 1:57.4 mark, rallying from fifth turning for home to score by a neck. It was the second win of the year for Ricky Be Sharp, who has won an amazing 35 times in his career measuring 79 starts.

Ricky Be Sharp paid $16.20 to win as fourth choice in the betting.

Of course, the real winners in these FADC events are the many charities that benefit from the drivers donating 100% of their earnings while driving in these races, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, New Vocations, Bit By Bit and others benefiting horse adoption agencies and the welfare of the young.

Thus far, they have donated over $220,000 since their inception.

For full Sunday race results, click here.

For full Monday race results, click here.

by John Berry, for the FADC