ADHC makes $5,000 donation to Harness Racing Museum

Freehold, NJ—Aside of putting on exciting hard-to-predict races, amateur harness racing drivers consider themselves ambassadors of the game.

Part of that mantra is to help preserve the history of this great sport and there is no better way of doing that than to contribute to the Harness Racing Hall of Fame & Museum. On Saturday 12/17, The American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC), through the unwavering support of the Freehold Raceway Management & Race Office, did just that and donated $5,000 to that worthy institution! Tom Charters, one of the museum board members was on hand to accept the donation.

Anthony Verruso, President of the AHDC, commented that “the drivers take support of the sport very seriously and relish being able to help any way they can”!

In the lone trot event of the day, proof was had that just because it is a small six horse field that doesn’t mean there cannot be a lot of action.

When the gate sprung, King Cast (Jim King Solomon) left strongly to try and protect rail position. The two horse My Big Kadillac (Mike Polansky) also got away quickly, but it was CHF Merodona (Joe Lee) who looped them all and took the quick lead in the first turn. Dark Pool (Cantab Hall, Tony Beltrami) also floated off the gate and was able to drop in fourth. Polansky chose to not drop in the three hole because he thought King Cast might be a little short off an eight-month layoff, so he fervently tried to get to the top. My Big Kadillac finally accomplished that task but not until he just passed the half in a sporty 59:4.

Knowing the leaders would tire quickly, Beltrami guided Dark Pool to the outside and was quickly followed by Campbellini (Dante Scattolini) who had broke in the first turn but quickly got back on stride to stay in the race. Masster Blue (Anthony Verruso) finally slid out third over to try and follow the live cover. Dark Pool, taking full advantage of the good trip wasted no time clearing the tiring leader up the backside with Campbellini dropping in right behind him to try and keep in stalking distance, but the new leader was too strong for the rest of the field and he drew off to win by 2 lengths. Campbellini did hold on for second with Masster Blue charging up for the show position.

Dark Pool, a 9-year-old gelding, is owned by Tony Beltrami and Paul Fusco and is also trained by Paul Fusco. The gelding was sent off second choice and returned $5.80 on the win end.

The AHDC will be racing next Saturday, Christmas Eve 12/24, so bring your candy canes and see the exciting action!

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Verruso, for the AHDC