Harness Driver Anthony Dandeo, 86 Years Old, Sets Record With Freehold Victory

Friday, Aug. 27, was a big day for octogenarians in horse racing. Bob Dunham, an 84-year-old Thoroughbred trainer based in New York, scored his first stakes victory at Saratoga racetrack since 1990 when Byhubbyhellomoney won the Fleet Indian Stakes. (Details here.)

That same night, Anthony Dandeo became the oldest harness driver on record in the state of New Jersey to win a race when he scored by two lengths in the 10th and final event at Freehold Raceway with Stick That Lip Out.

The win was the 234th in Dandeo's career, which has spanned several decades. His most recent win came on April 15, 2016, when he guided Mickey Blu to victory.

Dandeo had to survive a stewards' inquiry before the race was made official. While pacing toward the lead around the first turn, Dandeo dropped over from the outside in front of Caviart Hayley, who jumped off-stride and would finish a distant last in the race. Stewards opted to allow the original result to stand.

Stick That Lip Out is owned by August Santore and trained by John Wyatt. Final tijme was 1:59.20.Stick That Lip Out paid $12.

Dandeo, who turned 86 on Aug. 21, has three years on the previous record holder, George McCandless, who was 83 years old in 1994 when he drove Kehms Scooter to victory at Freehold.

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