1:55.4 by Nelson November

Nelson November, guided by trainer-driver Trond Smedshammer, won Friday's feature at Freehold Raceway, and in the process matched the world record for a 5-year-old or older trotting stallion on a half-mile track.



Nelson November, a 5-year-old son of the French sire Coktail Jet, cut quarter-mile fractions of :28.1, :57.2, and 1:26.4 on his way to his 1:55.4 win, which matched Striking Ace's effort at Northfield Park, set on Aug. 14 of last year.



Homestead Dreamer (Jeff Gregory) raced in the pocket behind the winner, but could not keep up late and finished second, 4 1/2 lengths back



Smedshammer, who took over the training of Nelson November this spring, supplied some background on the trotter.



"I got him in April when he was sent to me from Europe," Smedshammer said. "He was good over there--he won a lot of money--and he was the Derby winner in Germany as a 3-year-old.



"The owners suspected that he was beginning to have trouble with bleeding, and because there is no (Salix, the anti-bleeder medication) allowed in Europe, they felt best that he be sent to the States. Sure enough, once he got the (Salix) his problems went away."



Smedshammer added that although Nelson November comes up a little short against the best in the sport, he is very well suited to the Invitational ranks at Freehold.



The victory was the fourth in 12 starts this year for Nelson November. Sent postward as the 7-2 third choice in the wagering, he rewarded his supporters with a win mutuel of $9.20.

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