Freehold, NJ — John Calabrese sailed clear of his competition with Grafenberg to win the $15,000 American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) final as the club and the harness racing community bid farewell to Freehold Raceway on Saturday (Dec. 28).
Sent the 3-5 favorite, Calabrese landed in third while Awol Hanover (driven by Steven Reisenweaver) pushed forward to head the helm to a :29.3 first quarter. Winneress (Anthony Verruso) tracked from the pocket as Calabrese lifted Grafenberg to the outside moving for a 1:01.3 half and vaulted forward to the lead. Grafenberg swooped to control after three-quarters in 1:31.1 and scampered to an open-length lead through the final turn before strolling over the line 3-3/4 lengths in front. Awol Hanover held second from Winneress while Jessies Outlawed (Pearly Allen) took fourth.
Vincent Stallworth trains Grafenberg, a 6-year-old gelding by Triumphant Caviar, for owner Jaypaul Hoover. He paid $3.20 to win.
Joe Lee delivered 1-5 favorite Im The Muscle in the $10,000 AHDC Consolation later on the card. Lee sat third off of :29 and :59 speed cut by Limerence (Dawn Anderson) before launching a first-over bid in the final march up the backside. He loomed closer to the leader through three-quarters in 1:29.4 and surged to the top in the stretch to post a length win in 2:01.3. Masster Blue (Paul Minore) closed from last for third and All Rise (Tony Beltrami) faltered from a pocket trip for fourth.
Veronica Spicer owns and trains Im The Muscle, a 9-year-old gelding by Muscle Mass. He paid $2.60 to win.
The AHDC wishes to thank Freehold Raceway for its many years of partnership and the infinite memories created from 170 years of harness racing.
AHDC action for 2024 concludes on Sunday (Dec. 29) at Harrah’s Philadelphia with three $7,500 divisions; two on the trot and one on the pace. First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. (EST).