A change of scenery, some time off, and a barn change did the trick for Major Crocker A, as he surged late to win the Preferred Handicap pace at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (Nov. 20).

Major Crocker A was claimed out of his last start at Yonkers Raceway on Oct. 18 for $40,000 by Tahnee Camilleri. He got a brief break after that third-place finish, and returned to the track in the Preferred Handicap at Freehold. He went off at 6/1 from post position seven in the eight-horse field.

Luke Hanners rated his drive in last place early on, then moved off the pylons and grabbed third-over cover just before the half-mile point. As they moved up the backstretch the final time, Drinkin Again, last week's Preferred Handicap winner leading the first-over charge, began to stall, and Hanners was forced to flip Major Crocker A four-wide.

Despite the wide move, Major Crocker A had plenty left for the stretch drive. On Accident, who won the Preferred Handicap two weeks ago, made a nifty move up the pylons to draw into contention. Major Crocker A had more momentum, however, and got up to win by three-quarters of a length, while On Accident held on for second. The final time was 1:54.

Major Crocker A has now won four times this year from 25 starts, with earnings of more than $100,000. Lifetime, this 11-year-old gelding has won 40 times from 165 starts, and has earned almost $820,000.

JOHN CALABRESE WINS AHDC TROT WITH ALLINDOTIME

John Calabrese waited patiently with Allindotime in the $9,000 American Harness Drivers Club Trot, and then moved his horse three-wide on the final turn to rally for a 1:59:2 victory.

When the wings of the mobile gate folded Mark Schullstrom sent Inukchuk Chuck to the lead from the pole position and parked Lionhead (Melissa Arbia) and two others as he trotted by the first quarter in :29. Inukchuk Chuck then kept all comers on the limb past the half in :59.1 and they still had command when they trotted the three quarters in 1:29.4.

At that point Calabrese, who was on the pylons all the way, moved Allindotime three-deep around traffic and set sights on leader Inukchuk Chuck. However, when the field straightened for home Tony Verruso had Masster Blue in high gear and they gained momentary command. That tandem had to brace for a hard-charging Allindotime, and the two trotters were side by side all the way to the finish line. If I Must (Pearly Allen) joined that pair late, but when they crossed the finish line Masster Blue went off-stride to allow Allindotime the victory. Although finishing second, Masster Blue was placed third after being lapped-on by If I Must who gained second money.

Allindotime is owned by Alma Iafelice and trained by Bill MacKenzie. He paid $6.20 for the win.

Live harness racing resumes at Freehold Raceway on Friday (Nov. 26), starting at about 12:30 p.m. The Friday card is headlined by the "Turkey Trot", sponsored by Peter Grandich and Co.

(Freehold / AHDC)