Calabrese, Allen winners in AHDC event

FREEHOLD, N.J. – John Calabrese launched down the road and Pearly Allen powered to first to take their respective $9,000 harness racing divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Freehold Raceway on Saturday afternoon (May 11).

In the first division, John Calabrese cleared the lead from post 8 with Shoemaker Hanover (Cantab Hall) and stayed on the pedal to a 1:59 win.

Shoemaker Hanover grabbed command from Call Me Thefireman (driven by Anthony Verruso) past a :29 first quarter and coasted unfazed to a :59.1 half and 1:28.3 three-quarters. Call Me Thefireman started to swell in the pocket through the turn and 7-5 favorite Beacon Beach (Joe Lee) came charging three wide with the most momentum after Shoemaker Hanover late.

Shoemaker Hanover held firm to the beam though, keeping Beacon Beach at bay by three-quarter lengths while Call Me Thefireman settled for third and Grafenberg (Joe Faraldo) sat a pylon trip for fourth.

SHOEMAKER HANOVER REPLAY

John Calabrese trains Shoemaker Hanover, an 11-year-old stallion, for his Calabrese Farms LLC and Michelle Rickey. He paid $12.80 to win.

Pearly Allen later scored as the third longest shot on the board with a victorious first-over push in 2:01.1.

Spirit Of Success (John Calabrese) swept to the lead from post 7 with Lil’ Day Drinkin (Mickey Goldin) settling for the pocket and Allen sitting third with Bangin In The Hall (Conway Hall). Past a :59.4 half, Allen made the move to strike and kicked first over to three-quarters in 1:30.1. Bangin In The Hall inched forward against Spirit Of Success through the final turn until eventually downing the temposetter and pulling clear to a 1-1/2-length win.

Masster Blue (Joe Lee) took third and Lil’ Day Drinkin, the 5-2 favorite, faded to fourth.

BANGIN IN THE HALL REPLAY

Dawn Anderson trains and co-owns Bangin In The Hall, a 5-year-old gelding, with Thomas Bradford. He paid $30.80 to win.

AHDC action continues next Saturday (May 18) 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 AHDC