by Steve Wolf

Freehold, NJ — Harness driver George Brennan didn’t need the luck of the Irish in capturing the St. Patrick’s Day Pace at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (March 14).

“It was like shooting fish in a barrel,” Brennan said. “It was that easy. My horse got a dream trip in the outside flow and we were mailed home.”

Absolutely Michael and driver George Brennan won Freehold’s St. Patrick’s Day race.

Brennan was driving Absolutely Michael, a 6-1 mild longshot and they paid $14.40 to win. Andwin Hanover (Corey Callahan) finished second as the betting favorite and Superbo Hanover (Jim Marohn Jr.) was third.

The race featured only drivers of Irish heritage, include two drivers who were born and raised in Ireland, last year’s winner, “Irish” Joe Hanney and Jonathon Dunne.

“What a great race for me to win,” Brennan added. “It was special this year because fellow horseman Derek Delaney and his family came over from Ireland and brought with them a special blanket for the race presentation. They also sponsor the richest race in all of Ireland and the UK, the Vincent Delaney Memorial, and I think it’s wonderful that they have come here to promote their special race. I am seriously considering heading over there this year.”

The race got away over a sloppy, rain-soaked track with Csardas and driver John Sheehan getting parked out from the rail by Andwin Hanover in :28.2 to the opening quarter.

Then after the half in :58.3, Callahan came back first-up against Csardas with Andwin Hanover but could not clear until the three-quarter-mile marker in 1:28.2.

Meanwhile Superbo Hanover and Marohn grabbed second-over cover and sitting third over getting the dream trip was Brennan and Absolutely Michael.

Andwin Hanover cleared to the lead and kept Superbo Hanover at bay, but Brennan had saved plenty of steam with Absolutely Michael and blew by at the wire to win with ease by 1-1/2 lengths.

It was the first win in ten starts for Absolutely Michael. The 9-year-old gelded son of Western Hanover is trained by Troyce Thomas and is owned by Kubi Michael Erzene of Bordentown, N.J.

Helene Gregory/World Wide Racing Photos

Ireland’s Derek Delaney presented a trophy and special blanket from Ireland to George Brennan and Absolutely Michael. Holding the flag is Derek’s daughter Lexie and wife Lillian.

“What a grand race it was today,” said sponsor Derek Delaney. “The rain didn’t help but what a masterful drive by George Brennan. Everyone was so friendly and outgoing, a real pleasure to be here and I have to think I want to do it again next year!”

Derek Delaney and his family are touring the USA over the next week, making appearances at the Meadowlands, Yonkers Raceway and the Meadows in addition to Freehold. He will also be looking for race fans to come over to Ireland for the Delaney Memorial.

“We have developed this race weekend into something unique,” Delaney explained. “It’s sort of the Little Brown Jug, Hambletonian and Gold Cup & Saucer all rolled into one with an Irish twist to it! We want to invite everyone to check out our website at www.vincentdelaneymemorial.com and see what we are talking about.”

Recently Derek and James Delaney were honored world-wide as a story on their late brother’s race won the 2015 World Trotting Conference International Media Award as the best news story in harness racing.