by Amy Silver, publicity director, Meadowlands Racetrack

East Rutherford, NJ — Shadyshark Hanover’s strong work ethic could give the colt the winning edge in the $400,000 Anthony Abbatiello Classic on Saturday night at Meadowlands Racetrack.

“He’s the odd horse who steps on to the track and goes a mile or two before he starts bucking and playing,” said his trainer, Erv Miller. “Almost all horses would do so before the first mile. He really loves going out there and doing his work.”

New Image Media

Shadyshark Hanover was all-out last year to capture a Governor’s Cup elim at Woodbine in 1:50.4, a new lifetime best.

Shadyshark Hanover is rated as the 3-1 second choice from the rail in the New Jersey Classic final. Tim Tetrick has the driving assignment. Shadyshark Hanover romped to a 1:51.3 victory in his 2011 debut, an overnight race at Harrah’s Chester, last Saturday.

“He was never really asked last week,” Miller said. “His debut was excellent. The way he was put away at two is the way he’s come back at three. He’s a very, very good horse. He was already a big colt at two and he’s grown into himself.”

Shadyshark Hanover was first or second in nine of 12 starts last season for earnings of $518,826. He won his eliminations for the Governor’s Cup and Breeders Crown, but was bested in both finals by Dan Patch Award winner Big Jim. After skipping the New Jersey Classic prep, he will face his rival for the first time this year in Saturday’s final.

“We trained at the same farm [Southern Oaks Training Center] in Florida this winter,” Miller noted. “At the end of last year, we came out on the short end. Hopefully we can reverse that this year at three.”

The colt, a son of Cam’s Card Shark-Shady Past, was purchased as a yearling for $90,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale in Harrisburg, PA. He is a full brother to hard-knocking older pacer Sharky Osborne, who has earned $800,000. Erv Miller shares ownership of Shadyshark Hanover with partners Jim Fielding, John Fielding, Ronald Michelon, Heidi Miller, Jerry Silva and Richard Strachan.

The New Jersey Classic is the first major stakes test for 3-year-old pacers and the richest event restricted to New Jersey-sired horses. The Classic and companion $150,000 Thomas D’Altrui Miss New Jersey for fillies are sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey. The New Jersey Classic is carded as race six with an estimated post time of 8:44 pm, while the Miss New Jersey is race three at 7:41 pm on Saturday night.

The field for the $400,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic:

PP, Horse, Driver, Trainer

1, Shadyshark Hanover, Tim Tetrick, Erv Miller, 3-1

2, Roll’em Up, Andy Miller, Joe Holloway, 8-1

3, Lizard King, David Miller, Ross Croghan, 12-1

4, Ru Ready To Rock, Yannick Gingras, Chris Ryder, 20-1

5, High Noon, Ron Pierce, Jimmy Takter, 15-1

6, Doin Time Together, Simon Allard, Lou Pena, 15-1

7, Lookinforadventure, Brett Miller, Bruce Saunders, 12-1
8, Big Jim, Phil Hudon, James Dean, 8-5

9, Grams Legacy, Brian Sears, Jimmy Takter, 5-1

10, Jo Pa’s Pe III, John Campbell, John Campbell, 20-1