Team USA holds off British invasion at Freehold

Freehold, NJ – Nov. 5 – Harness racing’s British Invasion, featuring top amateur drivers from Great Britain and the United States of America, concluded on Saturday at Freehold Raceway with the Americans thwarting their friendly rivals 139-109.

After the Brits jumped out to an early advantage in day one at Monticello, courtesy of Richard Haythornthwaite’s perfect two-for-two session, the Americans took charge at the Meadowlands on Friday with Neil Glasser and Yogi Sheridan the shining stars for Team USA.

At Freehold in the final event, Matt Zuccarello put the icing on the cake for the home team by scoring a handy gate-to-wire win with the six-year-old gelding Burning Desire (Somebeachsomewhere) in 1:57.3.

Zipping off the wings from post five, Zuccarello had an open lead all the way over Freehold’s half mile oval, putting up number of :29, :59 and 1:27.4 along the way to score by two lengths.

Britain’s Lee Morris was second in the event with the 30 to 1 outsider Charger Blue Chip and another Brit, Marc Jones, was third with Here Comes Red, but Zuccarello’s crafty piloting put the issue to rest when he crossed the wire.

BURNING DESIRE REPLAY

In commenting about the competition, amateur driver Dein Spriggs related, “The competition with our brothers across the ocean is fierce but friendly, competitive but fair and always benefiting worthy charitable causes and humanitarian services.

“We all have the same goals, and this ongoing competition just solidifies our goals. We would be remiss if we didn’t profusely thank Monticello Raceway, Freehold Raceway and The Meadowlands for their support. Without their assistance and allowance, this competition would never have come to fruition.”

For complete race results, click here.

by John Berry, for Harnesslink