John Calabrese secured a pocket ride for odds-on favorite Shoemaker Hanover and blitzed for the lead around the final turn while holding his ground to take the $15,000 North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Spring Series Final on Thursday night (May 18) at Yonkers Raceway.

Kashas Boy (Alan Schwartz) cleared control from Shoemaker Hanover to a :28.4 first quarter while Judge Ken (Jacob Stillwell) pushed from the pylons to race third. Cyclone Maximus (Scott Keppler) attempted to get movement going along the rim to a :59 half, but stalled as Kashas Boy cruised uncontested.

Off the slow first half, Calabrese made his attack up the backstretch. Shoemaker Hanover ground into Kashas Boy to take a narrow lead to three-quarters in 1:28.3 but remained alongside as Kashas Boy reclaimed control with the inside advantage. Judge Ken sat on Shoemaker Hanover’s back spinning for home and tipped widest of all to make a three-high line driving for the finish. Shoemaker Hanover grabbed the lead and withstood a final push from Judge Ken to win by a neck in 1:59.1. Kashas Boy settled for third and Winneress (Anthony Verruso) gave chase in fourth.

John Calabrese trains Shoemaker Hanover, a 10-year-old stallion by Cantab Hall. He co-owns the horse through his Calabrese Farms LLC with Michelle Rickey. 

Shoemaker Hanover paid $3.30 to win.

(NAADA)