Verruso, Polansky victorious in AHDC Trots

FREEHOLD, N.J.— Anthony Verruso blew the competition away and Mike Polansky powered forward to win their respective $7,500 harness racing divisions for the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (Oct. 26).

Verruso won in the first division with a furious charge by Winneress to score by open lengths in 1:59.3.

Winneress sat seventh to a :28.4 first quarter carved by Trump This (driven by Tony Beltrami), but angled outside to catch cover from Awol Hanover (Steven Reisenweaver) as the field raced strung out to a :58.4 half.

Awol Hanover eventually found room to tuck to the cones, leaving Winneress to venture forward uncovered after Trump This on the march to three-quarters in 1:29.2.

Winneress made steady gains on Trump This and soon easily blew by to the lead spinning for home. Verruso continued widening his advantage through the lane until crossing the beam 6-3/4 lengths to the good over pocket-popper Lil’ Day Drinkin (Mickey Goldin) taking second. Masster Blue (John Calabrese) rallied for third and Awol Hanover took fourth.

WINNERESS REPLAY

 

Veronica Spicer trains Winneress, a 10-year-old gelding by Credit Winner, for owner Anthony Verruso. He paid $7 to win.

Polansky took the lead past the half with My Big Kadillac and put away the field to post a 2:01 win in the second AHDC Trot.

My Big Kadillac landed in fourth to a :29.4 first quarter behind a battle between Bangin In The Hall (Robert Krivelin) and Jessies Outlawed (Pearly Allen) for the lead. Jessies Outlawed took over control, but faced a swift challenge from My Big Kadillac moving to a 1:00.4 half and yielded the lead. My Big Kadillac soon scampered away from the competition in the backside, opening three lengths to three-quarters in 1:30.3 and maintaining his advantage through the homestretch to register a 3-1/4-length win. Bangin In The Hall took second from Jessies Outlawed while Im The Muscle (Anthony Verruso) sat a ground-saving trip for fourth.

MY BIG KADILLAC REPLAY

 

Mike Polansky owns and trains My Big Kadillac, a 10-year-old gelding by Kadabra. He paid $10 to win.

AHDC action for the club’s fall trotting series resumes next Saturday (Nov. 2) at Freehold Raceway. First-race post time at Freehold is 12:30 p.m. (EDT).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC