Freehold, NJ — John Calabrese overhauled his competitors and Tony Beltrami threw the hammer down early to take their respective divisions of the $9,000 American Harness Drivers Club Trot at Freehold Raceway on Saturday afternoon (April 22).
Calabrese floated away fourth with Brownie while Big Sky Sumo (Jim King Solomon) led the field by a :29 first quarter. Big Sky Sumo broke stride as Calabrese pulled off the pegs with Brownie to a :59.2 half and swooped to seize the lead.
Brownie grabbed command from pocket-sitter Masster Blue (Anthony Verruso) up the backstretch and extended to a two-length lead past three-quarters in 1:29.2. His advantage only widened in the lane and he crossed the beam 5-1/4 lengths better than Masster Blue in 1:59.2 with King Cast (Yogi Sheridan) sitting a pylon trip for third and My Big Kadillac (Mike Polansky) taking fourth.
Pierre Paradis conditions Brownie, a 7-year-old Muscles Yankee gelding, for owner Daniel Dube. He paid $10.80 to win.
In the other AHDC Trot, Tony Beltrami barreled to the top from post seven with All Rise and took control past a :28.3 first quarter from Call Me Thefireman (Verruso). All Rise then withstood a first-over push from 2-5 favorite Lionhead (Sheridan) through a :59 half and to three-quarters in 1:28.4. Lionhead continued digging into All Rise through the lane, but the tempo setter held firm and wrapped the mile in 1:59.2 and 1-1/2 lengths to the good. Spunkin’srocketman (Calabrese) finished third and Big Sky Ex (Solomon) closed for fourth.
Ed Quevedo trains All Rise, a 6-year-old Conway Hall gelding, for owner Tony Beltrami. He paid $25.20 to win.
AHDC action returns to Freehold Raceway next Friday (April 28) with the $9,000 AHDC Pace. First-race post time at Freehold is 12:30 p.m. (EDT).