FREEHOLD, N.J.— Neil Glasser gunned for the front from post 7 and clenched his diminishing lead all the way to victory in the $9,000 American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) harness racing trot at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (Dec. 9).
Glasser crossed over to the point with Trump This (Airzoom Lindy) before a :30 first quarter, pocketing early leader Campbellini (driven by Dante Scattolini). Shoemaker Hanover (John Calabrese), the 8-5 favorite, soon angled off the pylons from third and laid siege onto Trump This to a 1:00.3 half. Trump This promptly responded to the challenge and kept Shoemaker Hanover parked to three-quarters in 1:29.3 all while the backfield lifted into action.
Trump This continued brave on the lead through the final turn but encountered flanking challenges through the lane. My Big Kadillac (Mike Polansky) and Crazy About Pat (Tony Beltrami) vaulted off cover while Ghibli (Todd Whitney) came charging through the open stretch coming to the finish. Glasser’s charge stayed firm through the pressure to the finish of a 2:00.1 mile and held a head in front of My Big Kadillac in second. Crazy About Pat settled for third and Ghibli took fourth.
Joseph Eisenhower Sr. conditions Trump This, a 7-year-old gelding, for owner Henry Ottinger. He paid $29.60 to win.
TRUMP THIS REPLAY
Only two preliminaries remain for the AHDC’s Fall Trotting Series. The next leg will take place on Sunday, Dec. 17 at Harrah’s Philadelphia, which will host the series’ final on Sunday, Dec. 31. First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. (EST).
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Ray Cotolo, for AHDC