Freehold, NJ — John Calabrese launched down the road and Pearly Allen powered to first to take their respective $9,000 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Freehold Raceway on Saturday afternoon (May 11).

In the first division, John Calabrese cleared the lead from post eight with Shoemaker Hanover and stayed on the pedal to a 1:59 win.

John Calabrese and Shoemaker Hanover overcame post eight to win the first AHDC heat on Saturday at Freehold.

Shoemaker Hanover grabbed command from Call Me Thefireman (driven by Anthony Verruso) past a :29 first quarter and coasted unfazed to a :59.1 half and 1:28.3 three-quarters. Call Me Thefireman started to swell in the pocket through the turn and 7-5 favorite Beacon Beach (Joe Lee) came charging three-wide with the most momentum after Shoemaker Hanover late. Shoemaker Hanover held firm to the beam though, keeping Beacon Beach at bay by three-quarters of a length while Call Me Thefireman settled for third and Grafenberg (Joe Faraldo) sat a pylon trip for fourth.

John Calabrese trains Shoemaker Hanover, an 11-year-old stallion by Cantab Hall, for his Calabrese Farms LLC and Michelle Rickey. He paid $12.80 to win.

Pearly Allen later scored as the third longest shot on the board with a victorious first-over push in 2:01.1.

Pearly Allen and Bangin In The Hall sprang a 14-1 upset in the second AHDC split. Vicki Wright/World Wide Racing Photos.

Spirit Of Success (John Calabrese) swept to the lead from post seven with Lil’ Day Drinkin (Mickey Goldin) settling for the pocket and Allen sitting third with Bangin In The Hall. Past a :59.4 half, Allen made the move to strike and kicked first-over to three-quarters in 1:30.1. Bangin In The Hall inched forward against Spirit Of Success through the final turn until eventually downing the pacesetter and pulling clear to a 1-1/2-length win. Masster Blue (Joe Lee) took third and Lil’ Day Drinkin, the 5-2 favorite, faded to fourth.

Dawn Anderson trains and co-owns Bangin In The Hall, a 5-year-old gelding by Conway Hall, with Thomas Bradford. He paid $30.80 to win.

AHDC action continues next Saturday (May 18) at Freehold Raceway. First-race post time is 12:30 p.m. (EDT).