$56,000 NJSS final in minor upset mile

Freehold, NJ— Jack Pelling won the biggest race of his harness racing driving career so far on Saturday (October 23), when he guided Wickedly Innocent to a 6/1 upset win in the $56,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes- Standardbred Development Fund final for 2-year-old filly pacers at Freehold Raceway.

After starting slowly and then going three-deep up the backside Shoemaker Hanover vaulted to the lead as the harness racing field rounded the final turn and cruised home an easy two-length winner in 1:59.1 for driver John

Calabrese in a $9,000 division of the American Harness Drivers Club.

When the starter turned the field loose Mark Schullstrum sent Inukchuk Chuck to the lead and refused to allow Masster Blue (Tony Beltrami) to gain command in a :29.1 first quarter. The two then raced side by side past the half in :58.4 and were still head-to-head by the three quarters in 1:29.1.

At that point Calabrese and Shoemaker Hanover, who were traveling along second over, went three deep and gained the lead as the field heard for home.

In the lane Shoemaker Hanover trotted clear and then rebuffed a late charge from Gemeni Eddie (Joe Faraldo) who rallied from seventh at the three quarters, to finish second. After a gutsy trip Inukchuk Chuck hung on for the show dough.

SHOEMAKER HANOVER REPLAY

The race winner is owned by the Allister Stable LLC and trained by Noel Daley. Sent off at odds of 5-1 Shoemaker Hanover paid $12.00, $8.00 and $5.40 across the board.

For full race results, click here.

by Freehold Raceway and John Manzi, for the AHRC