Trainer Tom Fanning had a big day at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (February 27), winning three races on the 13-race card.
Fanning won with all three of his starters. He scored his first win in race 6, as Tisadream N just got up for the victory as the 2/5 favourite over Dreamfair Charro. Austin Siegelman had the winning drive. In the seventh race, he scored an upset, as 31/1 mare Ashtini defeated the boys in a gate-to-wire score with driver Eric Abbatiello. Two races later, Fanning completed the hat trick as Betting Exchange went gate-to-wire as the favourite. Siegelman once again had the drive.
Fanning surged up the Freehold trainer standings with his big day. He now has five wins on the meet from 14 starters, making him one of ten trainers with at least five wins at the current meet.
On the driving side, Abbatiello also picked up three wins. He began the day on a winning note, sweeping the early double. He won the first race on Arque Hanover, who he also co-owns and trains. In the second race, he got up to win a photo with RM Blackhawk, for owner/trainer Brandon Mongiello. He teamed up with Fanning on Ashtini in the seventh, to complete the hat trick.
TONY BELTRAMI WINS AHDC TROT AT FREEHOLD WITH BROADWAY BRUISER
by John Manzi for the American Harness Drivers Club
On the heels of a driving double on Friday at The Meadowlands, talented amateur reinsman Tony Beltrami captured the American Harness Drivers Club Trot on Saturday at Freehold.
After starting from the seven-hole, Beltrami was in no hurry to leave the gate and floated Broadway Bruiser away near the back of the pack in seventh position as Labadee As (Tony Ciuffetelli) led the field by the first stanza in 29 seconds. When they headed to the halfway point Beltrami moved behind cover provided by Tony Verruso and Slated To Win and when the field headed to the three quarters Slated To Win had collared tempo-setter, Labadee As. But the latter folded as the trotters rounded the final turn.
When the field headed for paydirt, Verruso braced for the late charge from Beltrami and Broadway Bruise. As they headed down the lane John Calabrese moved Dark Pool off the pylons and they joined the leaders and the three trotters rallied toward the finish line just heads apart.
In a tight three-horse photo Beltrami had gotten Broadway Bruiser up in the final strides for a head triumph over the fast-closing Dark Pool. Right there, but third best just a head behind the top two, was Slated To Win.
Broadway Bruiser, a six-year old Muscle Mass gelding, is owned by Joseph Scanio, James Cozenza, Bart Fooden and the HDS Stable. He is trained by Williams Hernandez. Sent away as third choice in the eight-horse field Broadway Bruiser paid $11.40 for win.
Live harness racing at Freehold resumes on Friday, March 5, starting at about 12:30 p.m.
(Freehold / AHDC)