Calabrese captures AHDC crown

FREEHOLD, N.J.— John Calabrese swept both the $9,000 consolation and $15,000 final for the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot on Saturday afternoon (May 27) at Freehold Raceway.

Calabrese scored a 1:58.3 victory in the final behind Shoemaker Hanover (Cantab Hall), who was sent the even-money favorite and went coast to coast.

King Cast (driven by Jacob Stillwell) pushed from the pylons and contested for the front with Shoemaker Hanover through a :28.3 first quarter. Shoemaker Hanover cleared command through the second turn and readied for a challenge from Winneress (Anthony Verruso) approaching a :58.3 half.

Winneress stalled in his bid while Shoemaker Hanover hit the accelerator up the backstretch. He clocked by three-quarters in 1:28.1 and had his competition disposed. Shoemaker Hanover spun into the stretch and widened to a 3-3/4-length victory over Lionhead (Yogi Sheridan), who ripped from second over to take second. King Cast held third and Winneress settled for fourth.

Calabrese conditions Shoemaker Hanover, a 10-year-old stallion, for his Calabrese Farms LLC and co-owner Michelle Rickey. The stallion paid $4 to win.

The $9,000 consolation surprisingly went to Calabrese, who recovered from a break at the start with Cal Miles N Shell (Trixton) and landed a 15-1 upset in 1:59.4.

Allindotime (Bruce Baker) inherited the lead with pylon-starter Turbochargedpete (Joe Faraldo) breaking stride through the first turn. Drazzmatazz (Yogi Sheridan) also showed speed but found nowhere to sit at the pylons, so he sat alongside the leader through a :28.3 first quarter and into a :58.2 half. Allindotime, the 3-2 favorite, tried to clinch the race at that point.Baker hit the throttle with Allindotime, opening a 5-1/2-length lead to three-quarters in 1:28.2.

Drazzmatazz gave pursuit from second while Calabrese came rolling with Cal Miles N Shell, who got underway along the rim past the half and gobbled ground through the last half. Allindotime’s lead shrunk all through the final quarter as Cal Miles N Shell recouped a seven-length deficit to nail a head blow at the pole and collar Allindotime. Drazzmatazz held third and Masster Blue (James Slendorn) took fourth.

Calabrese trains Cal Miles N Shell, a 3-year-old gelding , for his Calabrese Farms LLC. The gelding paid $32.40 to win.

At the start of the Saturday card at Freehold, AHDC president Anthony Verruso presented a $2,000 donation to HABcore, a charity which places those with insecure housing into permanent residences.

Though spring action concluded, the AHDC will plug along to its trotting Summer Championship Series, which starts next Sunday (June 4) at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania. The series runs every Sunday through Aug. 27, with the $15,000 final slated to go at Pocono Downs on Sunday, Sept. 10.

Pocono Downs will host legs on June 4, July 9, July 30 and Aug. 27. Every other leg of the trotting series will be hosted at Harrah’s Philadelphia. Entries are due by email to Anthony Verruso (sulkyracer@hotmail.com) by 12 p.m. (EDT) on the Monday preceding each leg.

The AHDC paid forward some of the group’s purse earnings to a charity aiming to provide safe housing for the homeless.

Following the first race on the card at Freehold Raceway, the AHDC presented a $2,000 donation to HABcore. HABcore operates in Monmouth and Ocean counties of New Jersey and operates many properties which provides permanent housing for children, veterans, families and individuals with special needs.

“We are lucky to get to participate in this sport we love and be a part of a vibrant community within New Jersey,” said club president Anthony Verruso. “The AHDC has a duty to support the community however we can, and to help the families who make it such a great place to live and give us a place to compete on a racetrack.”

Verruso presented the $2,000 check in the winner’s circle after the first race, joined by Freehold’s Director of Racing Karen Fagliarone as well as club member Joe Faraldo. The donation coincided with the finale of the AHDC Spring Series, which took place in the final two races of the Saturday card.

For complete race results, click here.

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC