by Fred Hudson

Charlene Sharpe is doing what she loves to do. The full time reporter who works for the Dispatch newspaper of Berlin, Md., is moonlighting, by showing and racing horses and is having a great time along with being successful. The hardworking journalist also has written articles for Hoof Beats and the USTA website.

Photo courtesy of Charlene Sharpe

Don’t Fool Me Now won four ribbons at the National Standardbred Show on Aug. 9.

Charlene acquired Don’t Fool Me Now an 11-year-old by Camotion out of Philly Fantasy, an Abercrombie mare, last year when the owners gave up on him and turned him over to Charlene. She rested the horse for a year, converting the gelding over to being a pleasure horse.

Along the way she found out that the gelding loves watermelon. It is her secret weapon.

Don’t Fool Me Now’s attitude and disposition changed so much that Charlene decided to drop him in the entry box for a race at the Pocomoke Fair in Pocomoke City, Md.

On Aug. 1 the gelding won his race at the Fair. The following week she entered him in four events at the National Standardbred Show on Aug. 9 in New Jersey and he would ribbon in all four events.

The next night (Aug. 10) he was off to the races at Ocean Downs where he won his race wire-to-wire in 1:57.3 with the veteran Frank Milby at the reins.

Her other horse, Wynnfield Flash, that she also owns and trains, won his race at Ocean Downs on Aug. 7, also with Milby in the bike.

Both horses are in to go for Monday night (Aug. 17) at Ocean Downs.

Don’t Fool Me Now is scheduled to compete in the Maryland All Standardbred Show at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium on Monday (Aug. 31).

Sharpe’s mother, Pam Polk, who at one time worked at Roosevelt Raceway for Frank Popfinger and is currently a USTA tattoo technician, will also be completing along with Charlene’s good friend Cate Carrick Nellans.