Tony Beltrami, John Calabrese win AHDC trots

FREEHOLD, N.J.— Harness racing amateur drivers Tony Beltrami and John Calabrese both hit the pedal and snagged the gold in their respective $9,000 divisions for the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (April 20).

In the first division, Beltrami tucked the race to sleep early and posted a 2:01 stroll behind All Rise (Conway Hall). Beltrami grabbed command before a :29.1 first quarter and cold-shouldered Spirit Of Success (driven by John Calabrese) as he sat parked and pressing for the lead. All Rise then moved to a :59.3 half alone on the point with no challengers coming to play even into three-quarters in 1:30.1.

From there Beltrami widened his advantage and spun for home on a four-length lead he held to the beam. Brickyard King (Pearly Allen) sat a pocket trip and gave chase in second while Spirit Of Success settled for third and Brownie (Mike Polansky) took fourth.

Harold Herrera conditions All Rise, a 7-year-old gelding, for owner Tony Beltrami. He paid $3.80 to win.

ALL RISE / TONY BELTRAMI REPLAY

John Calabrese cleared command past the quarter with Shoemaker Hanover (Cantab Hall) in the second division but promptly swept his rivals to the curb with a 1:59.1 performance.

After clocking a :28.3 first quarter, Calabrese planted Shoemaker Hanover on the helm and grabbed a breather to a :58.3 half. Pocket-sitter Awol Hanover (Steven Reisenweaver) then began to reach for the reserves and lost ground on the leader heading to three-quarters in 1:28.3.

Shoemaker Hanover drew farther clear from a fatigued Awol Hanover into the lane and coasted to the line a five-length winner. Landia (Tony Beltrami) bagged second from a first-over push with Grafenberg (Joe Faraldo) tracking his cover for third and My Big Kadillac (Mike Polansky) also following the tow for fourth.

Calabrese trains Shoemaker Hanover, an 11-year-old stallion, for his Calabrese Farms LLC and co-owner Michelle Rickey. He paid $4 to win.

SHOEMAKER HANOVER / JOHN CALABRESE REPLAY

AHDC action resumes next Saturday (April 27) at Freehold Raceway. First-race post time is 12:30 p.m. (EDT).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC