John Calabrese coasted down the road and Mike Polansky vaulted from off the speed in rein to their respective trotters to take the $9,000 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Freehold Raceway on Saturday, Nov. 11.
In the first division, Calabrese fired from post seven to the top with Empereurthebest FR through a :29.1 first quarter and rolled through the remainder. He staved a first-over challenge from Awol Hanover (Steven Reisenweaver) past a :58 half and then strolled to three-quarters in 1:27.2 with pocket-sitter Trump This (Neil Glasser) the closest threat. Trump This proved no threat in the lane as Empereurthebest FR crossed the line 1-1/2 lengths better in a 1:58.3 mile. Winneress (Anthony Verruso) rallied from second over to take third and Southwind Frost (Bob Hechkoff) came from near last for fourth.
Chris Height conditions Empereurthebest FR, a nine-year-old gelding by Un Amour D Haufor, for owner Barry Franklin. He paid $3.80 to win.
My Big Kadillac scored a 12-1 upset in the other division going away in 1:59.1. Polansky settled into fourth behind a skirmish on the point between Fashion Cantab (Anthony Verruso), Grafenberg (Joe Faraldo) and Masster Blue (John Calabrese). Fashion Cantab emerged on the lead through a :28.4 first quarter and Grafenberg ducked into the pocket, all while My Big Kadillac sat poised and ready to strike after a :58.2 half.
Polansky gave My Big Kadillac his cue to move and charged after Fashion Cantab up the backstretch. My Big Kadillac grabbed the lead after three-quarters in 1:28.4 and scooted clear of his competition spinning into the lane, opening four lengths to the beam while chased by 48-1 shot Real McCoy (Dante Scattolini) in second. Grafenberg finished third and Fashion Cantab took fourth.
Polansky owns and trains My Big Kadillac, a nine-year-old gelding by Kadabra, pictured above. He paid $27.20 to win.
Amid Saturday's AHDC action, the club made a $5,000 donation to the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, located in Goshen, New York. Anthony Verruso, President of the AHDC, led the cheque presentation.
“The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame helps to preserve the memory of American harness racing, and so the AHDC is proud to support an organization that looks to keep racing’s history alive,” said Verruso.
Tom Charters, a member of the Living Hall of Fame and the former CEO for the Hambletonian Society, joined Verruso and Freehold’s director of racing, Karen Fagliarone, in the presentation.
The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame focuses on archiving harness racing’s long history in America to preserve traditions and help educate on the sport’s past. It opened in Goshen, New York – home to Goshen Historic Track – and has been in operation for more than 70 years.
AHDC action resumes next Sunday, Nov. 19 when the Fall Trotting Series goes to Harrah’s Philadelphia. First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m.
(With files from AHDC)