Trotting’s answer to ‘Shoeless’ Jackson continues rise to the top

HARNESS racing’s answer to ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson continued his rise through the grades with another impressive win at Club Menangle last night.

Among the all-time great baseball players, Jackson was a household name during the 1910s, with some of his records remaining unbroken.

Jackson earned the nickname Shoeless after removing his new cleats in the middle of a game due to foot soreness and playing the remainder of the contest in his socks.

Enter Pesco Pollo – a rising star trotter, which has thrived since racing without shoes.

Showing potential early in his career, Pesco Pollo failed to live up to expectations for reasons unknown to champion trainer David Aiken.

Eventually placed in a paddock and forgotten about for almost two years, Pesco Pollo was given one last chance simply because of the drought!

“He kept having gait issues and I tried so many different things but wasn’t getting anywhere,” Aiken said. “In his last couple of runs he was going to be the winner, but would get into the straight, start trotting badly behind and would have to be nursed home and as such he’d get beaten.

“So I put him in a paddock and that’s where he stayed until Josh (Aiken) said I should take him up to New South Wales with me as Victoria is in the middle of a drought and I’d be better feeding him up here.

“I decided to give him his last try, and even a few months ago I was still having issues with him. So I had work done on him and he still wasn’t 100 per cent.

“Then I decided to take his shoes off for a trial and he hasn’t looked back!

“There was obviously something minor in his feet upsetting his gait, but it was enough to stop him from being comfortable.”

There is no doubt Pesco Pollo has found his rhythm, with his latest success his sixth from seven starts!

With Robbie Morris in the cart, Pesco Pollo worked to the lead from barrier five before completing a soft five-and-a-half metre win from Jungle Eyes.

Sheetweb Weaver was five metres away third as the winner covered the mile in 1:55.8.

“That was another top run,” Aiken said. “That’s six wisn now, and a second in his other start, from seven starts from a two-year break…he certainly couldn’t be going any better.

“Like I said, he always had ability, but something was holding him back. Now that’s behind him, hopefully he can make up for lost time.

“It’s going to get harder for him as he keeps going up in grade, but I think he’ll continue to prove his worth for a while.”