by Kimberly French, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Williamsport, PA — You won’t see him invoking parlay, commandeering ships, or swilling beers in a tavern, but he’s dashing enough that Elizabeth Swann would surely banish Will Turner when introduced to this Jack Sparrow.

The 5-year-old trotter, owned by Michael Calimeri of Falconer, New York, has faced the starter on 83 occasions with 28 victories and a lifetime mark of 1:58.1f. Conditioned and piloted by Buffalo Raceway’s second leading trainer, Jim McNeight, the son of Humorous Harry-Marie Adonno has bankrolled more than $131,000 competing primarily in the open and claiming ranks.

Paul White photo

Jack Sparrow has won eight races in 2008 and banked $55,885.

“He does stand out,” McNeight said. “He’s a chestnut with a big white blaze and his front legs are all white. People can’t believe he’s as good as he is with all that white on him. He loves kids and he’s the nicest horse in the world to be around. He’s really the perfect pet and everybody loves him when they see him, especially the girls.”

Jack Sparrow has resided in McNeight’s shedrow since January and the second generation horseman admits the gelding’s moniker did initially draw his attention.

“On Sunday mornings I go over the results at different tracks and I had been watching the horse,” the 43-year-old Lockport, New York, resident remembered. “He had won two or three weeks in a row at the Meadows and that particular Sunday, my son was watching Pirates of the Caribbean so it (the name) kind of caught me. My son got after me and told me I had to get the horse because we had just lost a horse through a claim. He won another $20,000 claimer, so I talked to Michael Calimeri and he was game to get him so we did.”

Out of the 11 head in McNeight’s barn, Jack Sparrow is the top money-earner. He’s a model of consistency and almost always hits the board.

“We’ve been pleasantly surprised by him but he’s really just a nice horse,” said McNeight, who is currently ninth in the driver’s standings at Buffalo Raceway. “He’s sound, he can leave, he can come from behind, he can come first over, he can come off cover. It just doesn’t matter to him. He can get a little grabby out of the gate sometimes but other than that, he’s idiot-proof.”

McNeight thought Jack Sparrow would be a stellar addition to his stable because of his proficiency over a half-mile oval.

“I got a print-out on him and saw that he went to Yonkers and won a few races there after the Meadows had closed,” the trainer said. “I thought he can get around a half all right so I claimed him. I think he’s a better half-mile horse because I don’t think he has some of the high speed some horses have on a big track. He’s not real big but he’s just the right size for a half.”

It also helped that Jack Sparrow is a trotter.

“Trotters are by far my favorite,” McNeight said. “I love them. When you get into a trot race you basically know the horses you are in with because you don’t have 30 different classes with trotters. If there’s an open trot, it’s the same group of horses and you know what your horse can do in that race. Anyone can race a pacer. They are a dime a dozen but a good trotter is hard to come by.”

Between races and training miles, the gelding enjoys spending time in the open air. His connections feel that’s what keeps him happy.

“We have him on a regular training schedule but for a couple days after he races he goes out in the field,” McNeight explained. “He loves going and grazing and I really think it helps him a lot. I think it’s good for all my horses.”