17-1 longshots upset in AHDC trots

FREEHOLD, N.J.— Anthony Verruso and Paul Minore both landed double-digit blows to the tote board with upset harness racing victories in their respective $9,000 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (May 4).

Verruso vaulted from off the speed in the first division to snag a 2:01.1 win. He settled into sixth behind 17-1 Ghibli moving to a :29 first quarter and sat patiently while All Rise (Tony Beltrami) grabbed the front from post 8 and led the field to the half in :59.1.

Brownie (Mike Polansky), stuck uncovered on the rim from the start, wavered up the backside and caused the field to stack as they all tried to attack All Rise to three-quarters in 1:30. Verruso started a sweeping move with Ghibli through the final turn and built momentum on the spin for home to then collar All Rise at the beam by just a nose with odds-on Spirit Of Success (John Calabrese) settling for third and Empereurthebest FR (James Slendorn) fourth.

Symon Spicer trains Ghibli, a 6-year-old mare, for owner-breeder Michael Sherman Jr. Off the third longest shot on the board, he paid $36.80 to win.

GHIBLI REPLAY

Paul Minore managed to work a simple pocket-popping trip to score a similar 17-1 upset in 2:01.1.

Minore settled into the trail with Pilsner Frosty (Six Pack) behind 8-5 favorite Lionhead (Yogi Sheridan) and sat steady through fractions of :29.3, 1:00.2 and 1:30.2. When time came to strike rounding for home, Minore angled from the pocket and slid by Lionhead through the lane to snatch a neck win while chased in third by Overserved (Ned Urbanski) and Landia (Tony Beltrami) in fourth.

Taylor Gower trains Pilsner Frosty, a 3-year-old filly, for owner Paul Minore. Off the second-longest shot on the board, he paid $36.00 to win.

PILSNER FROSTY REPLAY

AHDC action resumes next Saturday (May 11) at Freehold Raceway. First-race post time at Freehold Raceway is 12:30 p.m. (EDT).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC