Slendorn, Verruso winners in AHDC Trots

FREEHOLD, N.J.— James Slendorn and Anthony Verruso took their harness racing competitors pillar to post in their respective $7,500 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (Nov. 23).

Slendorn stormed away in the first division to a 1:59.1 win as the 2-5 favorite behind Beacon Beach (Resolve). Taking command out of post 6 to a :28.2 first quarter, Slendorn opened his lead on 43-1 shot Showme Some Muscle (driven by Jacob Stillwell) to a :58 half and cruised to three-quarters in 1:28.1. Beacon Beach drew farther clear from his foes spinning for home and registered a 6-3/4-length win at the beam over Showme Some Muscle. Lionhead (Yogi Sheridan) gave chase from third and Im The Muscle (Anthony Verruso) finished fourth.

Joe Bongiorno trains Beacon Beach, a 4-year-old gelding by Resolve, for owner El Dorado Stables. He paid $2.60 to win.

Anthony Verruso waded all foes in the second division to post a 2:04.1 win with Call Me Thefireman (Wishing Stone). Verruso cleared to the point before a :31.1 first quarter and pocketed early challenger Lil’ Day Drinkin (Mickey Goldin).

Passing the half in 1:02.2, Verruso soon had further pressure to face as Fashion Forever (Dawn Anderson) marched up the rim and reached within a length of the leader at three-quarters in 1:33.1. Fashion Forever dug deeper into Call Me Thefireman through the turn, but Verruso’s charge slid away in the stretch and scooted to a 1-1/4-length win. Fashion Forever held second with Landia (Mike Polansky) closing for third and Gatsby (Steven Reisenweaver), the 6-5 favorite, riding the pylons for fourth.

Veronica Spicer trains Call Me Thefireman, an 8-year-old gelding by Wishing Stone, for owner Anthony Verruso. He paid $5 to win.

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

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC