Engblom, Calabrese victorious in AHDC Trots

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.— Helene Engblom grabbed the lead and rolled while John Calabrese coasted on cover and powered home to take their respective $11,000 harness racing divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Sunday night (Jul 09).

In the first division, Helene Engblom planted Ifnotmewho (Credit Winner) onto the lead past a :28 first quarter and pressed forward through the remainder. She encountered mid-race pressure from odds-on favorite Newell Place (driven by John Calabrese) after a :57 half, and kept that rival parked through three-quarters in 1:26. Saving ground while on the point, Ifnotmewho maintained a 1-1/2-length lead to the finish on Newell Place to stop the clock in 1:56.4, finishing another five lengths in front of Real Mccoy (Dante Scattolini) in third and Bang Bang Boinga (Yogi Sheridan) in fourth.

IFNOTMEWHO REPLAY

Patrick Hlubik owns and trains Ifnotmewho, a 5-year-old mare by Credit Winner. She paid $15.60 as the third choice in the betting.

Shoemaker Hanover (Cantab Hall) decimated his rivals in rein to John Calabrese in the second AHDC division.

Getting away fourth while All Rise (Tony Beltrami) clocked a :29 first quarter, Shoemaker Hanover quickly caught cover from Allindotime (Bruce Baker) as that one blitzed the leader into a :57.4 half and remained at his throat through three-quarters in 1:27.2.

As the pair pummeled each other into submission, Calabrese readied Shoemaker Hanover for a three-wide sweep and took the lead off the final turn to a widening margin through the lane.

Shoemaker Hanover crossed the line six lengths better than Campbellini (Dante Scattolini) closing to get second. Winneress (Anthony Verruso) picked up third and pocket-sitter Brownie (Mike Polansky) settled for fourth.

SHOEMAKER HANOVER REPLAY

John Calabrese conditions Shoemaker Hanover, a 10-year-old stallion by Cantab Hall, for his Calabrese Farms LLC and Michelle Rickey. He paid $4.80 to win.

AHDC action shifts back to Harrah’s Philadelphia next Sunday (July 16). First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. (EDT).

For complete race results, click here.

By Ray Cotolo, for AHDC