Deja Vu for Calzone Hanover at Buffalo
June 24, 2007,by Sam Pendolino
Hamburg, NY – In the $8,000 co-featured ninth race pace, Calzone Hanover, a five-year-old Cambest gelding, won for the second week in a row in the identical time as last week, 1:56.2 for owner Chris Drongosky. Trainer Bobbi Martin put the pacer on Lasix, and it seems to have made all the difference in the world. Calzone Hanover was capably driven by reinsman Jim McNeight.
“Its always tough when your first-over, “said McNeight. “When we took the lead at the three-quarter pole, I knew we were home free. This is a really nice horse.”
Leaving from the pylons in the field of eight, Calzone Hanover and McNeight settled in third as Mud Puppy (Ken Holliday) hit the quarter-pole in a quick :28.4. With a big brush, King’s Lightning (Keith Kash, Jr.) took the lead past the stands and the fans and hit the half-mile beam in :58. Calzone Hanover and McNeight are now first-over with dead aim at the leaders. It was pedal to the metal from there, and a :29.2 last quarter-mile put the winner one length in front of second place finishers Baby Jeramy and driver Kevin Cummings. My Good Sam (Ron Beback) came in the show spot.
The $4,000 share of the winning purse boosted Calzone Hanover’s 2007 bankroll to $29,205 and $91,825 lifetime. He paid $4.80 to win going off as the favorite in the race.
Five Card Cam also makes it two in row!
In the other co-feature, Five Card Cam gave reinsman Keith Kash, Jr. his only win of the night, as the 8-year-old Cam’s Card Shark offspring won in 1:56.4 to register his sixth win in 2007 for the Inquisitive Stables and Mike Puff.
“The horse is real sharp right now,” said Kash. “It’s a little easier going against twenty claimers versus Open pacers.”
Leaving from the rail in the field of seven, Calzone Hanover and Kash set all the fractions in the race,:30.1, :59.4, and 1:28.3 to the three-quarter mark. Two lengths behind in second were Firstline Royal and driver Tom Agosti while Road Knight (Jack Flanigen) came in third.
The $4,625 share of the winning purse put Five Card Cam’s season bankroll at $29,958 and $344,650 lifetime. He paid $3.70 to win. Keith Kash, Jr. also trains Five Card Cam.