by Kimberly French, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Kimberly French

Louisville, KY — Whether he possessed the necessary tools to be a successful racehorse was not the question. His connections merely pondered whether they could learn to live with him and after earning more than $369,000 Crosbys Clam Bake has responded to that inquiry with authority.

“You cannot hook him up to a jog cart every day,” said Andrew Federico Jr., the gelding’s conditioner. “He is a quirky horse, but not a mean one. You just need to let him have his way and kind of learn how to adjust to him.

“He wants to be first at everything. He has to be the first one out in the field and the first horse to be fed. The minute he hears a bag open his head is up and he expects something. That is just how he is, but who could ever complain about him? He is an absolute joy to have in my barn and I feel blessed to have him.”

Bred by Ed Lohmeyer and his wife Dr. Patricia Hogan, Crosbys Clam Bake is the second choice on the morning line at 5-2 for his engagement at the Meadowlands on Friday (April 8) in a $25,000 Open Handicap Trot. The 6-year-old will have the services of Scott Zeron when he commences trotting from post position six and will have to face the likes of the talented and skilled Melady’s Monet (3-1) and one of the hottest horses in harness racing in Rose Run Parker (2-1).

Crosbys Clam Bake has won 23 times in his career with $369,541 in the bank.

The son of Kadabra and the Donerail mare Pacific Elegance has amassed more than $275,000 since he was purchased from Lohmeyer near the end of his 3-year-old season. He is now owned by Randy Bendis, Jack Piatt II and Tom Pollack. The connections believed Crosbys Clam Bake had enough ability to sign a check for more than six figures and their faith in the 2013 Ontario Sire Stakes Grassroots champion has proven to be warranted. He has started on 92 occasions in his career with a record of 23-18-13, with $369,541 in the bank. He closed like a freight train to finish a very strong second to world champion JL Cruze in his last start on April 1 at the Meadowlands.

“I was so impressed with him,” Federico said. “I thought he would get up to maybe fourth from where he was but he just kept coming. He really is in the best form of his career now. Before he could not leave and then finish, but now that is what he does best. You can do anything with him and he’s very handy. Scott (Zeron) loves that about him. He’s like a fine wine because he just keeps improving with age.

“Also, I can’t thank Randy Bendis enough for sending this horse to me. We met each other 25 years ago and have been great friends ever since. I’ve trained many other nice horses for him and have another one in Medusa ($253,633) right now, but what he and his partners do for this business is phenomenal. They care about their horses, they care about the people that take care of them and they do the right thing by the sport. Randy and I agreed in 2011 that he would keep my barn full and he always has. It has been a sweet ride for sure.”

Prior to his transition to Federico’s shed row, Crosbys Clam Bake was initially introduced to his career by Ed Lohmeyer. He and Hogan still own the horse’s dam, who earned just over $60,000 on the racetrack and has produced six foals that collected more than $500,000.

USTA/Ken Weingartner photos

Crosbys Clam Bake has earned $52,650 this year for trainer Andrew Federico Jr.

“I am so pleased his owners are enjoying him so much and he has turned into such a nice horse for them,” Lohmeyer said. “We had him at two and three and knew he had talent. Every foal this mare has had has not only looked the part but showed they have what it takes. But they all have her personality. I wish I could say it was the stud that passed the temperament on, but it definitely comes from her.

“Let me just tell you how tough she is to handle. I raced her at Delaware and had to tie her tail outside the trailer for the entire trip, plus keep her up against one side so she would not rub her hips off. Even with that she still squealed and carried on the whole way.

“Crosbys Clam Bake is the same way. You just have to figure out how to manage him, which is not easy, and I’m so glad they took the time with him so he could blossom into such a nice racehorse. They deserve credit for all the effort they put in with him.”

After his appearance on Friday evening, Federico is not sure what is in store for the gelding’s future.

“It really just depends on the conditions and what races he can be entered in,” he said. “I have shipped him, but I like to keep him at the same place. With our operation it’s all about placing horses where they belong. For example, I’ll have to send Medusa back up to Randy so she can race at The Meadows on Monday. I hate not having her in my barn for one minute, but that’s the nature of the business.

“I think this horse (Crosbys Clam Bake) can compete with any of them and he has illustrated that. We are just so excited to have him and can’t wait for the rest of the year.

“How can you ever find fault with a horse that any time he does not win it is not because of him? That speaks volumes and this year is going to be some kind of trip with him.”