Success: Andy McCarthy guides Pedro Hanover to victory in the $252,000 PASS Final at Pocono Downs Photo by Curtis Salonick
Australian reinsman Andy McCarthy is enjoying a stellar season.
Based in New Jersey, McCarthy competes regularly at a number of tracks situated in the New York and Pennsylvania states for a wide range of trainers and the skillful tactician continues to ply his trade with equal aplomb.
Born and raised in Bathurst before commencing his harness racing career in Brisbane, McCarthy ventured overseas a decade ago to make his mark against the best drivers in the world.
And those early years of hard work coupled with his fierce determination and a razor sharp focus are now paying dividends.
The proud father of two has enjoyed his best week in the race bike culminating in a raft of features in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes program at Harrah’s Chester and Pocono Downs racetracks.
McCarthy partnered both three-year-old filly Caviart Ally (1:50.2) and two-year-old colt Pedro Hanover (1:51.0) to capture their respective $252,000 features.
Caviart Ally, closely related to former Breeders Crown winner All Speed Hanover is prepared by Queensland born horseman Noel Daley while Pedro Hanover is prepared by Andrew Harris, a former foreman for the Casie Coleman stable.
He also took minor placings with Cool Cates (3yo Filly Trot), Hey Blondie (2yo Filly Trot) and Majorsspeciallady (2yo Pace Filly) in their $252,000 finals.
The success adds to his triumph with J L Cruze in the inaugural running of the $250,000 Spirit Of Massachusetts Trot that was held at Plainridge Park back on July 28.
And with the season still offering some major money events, McCarthy finds himself in a prime position to further expand on his success for the current term.
Caviart Ally is headed to the Jugette at Delaware during Jug week before other likely targets include Red Mile features in Lexington plus the Breeders Crown at Hoosier Park in Indiana at seasons end.
The Bettors Delight filly ranks among the top five in the country.
And Pedro Hanover certainly looks destined for many more features culminating with the Breeders Crown next month.
The Somebeachsomewhere colt produced a blistering sprint to win the $112,525 division of the Nassagaweya in 1:52.1 at Mohawk late last month.
That was the first time McCarthy had driven the $80,000 Harrisburg Yearling Sale graduate.
Another feature event collected by McCarthy recently came via the $53,500 New York Sires Stakes 2yo Trotting Fillies at Saratoga Raceway with Fury Road for in-form trainer Ake Svanstedt in 1:58.4.
McCarthy has driven 175 winners to date this season with 372 minor placings from 1436 drives while his earnings currently sit at $3,399,433.
