Freehold, NJ — John Calabrese and Mark Schullstrom won their respective $9,000 American Harness Drivers Club trotting events on Saturday (April 23) at Freehold Raceway: Calabrese with Big Sky Ex in 2:00.2, and Schullstrom with Inukchuk Chuck in 1:59.4.

Mark Schullstrom posted a 20-1 upset with his Inukchuk Chuck in the second division of Saturday’s AHDC action at Freehold Raceway. Vicki Wright photo.

In the first split, Calabrese was content to hug the pylons as Tony Verruso sent Trump This to the lead from the six-hole before a :29.1 quarter. Once in command, Verruso led the field by the half in 1:00.2, and they were still unchallenged by three-quarters in 1:30.1. But trouble was lurking as Calabrese rallied Big Sky Ex alongside Trump This on the final turn, and both trotters were side by side heading for home. Calabrese’s trotter was the strong horse, and Big Sky Ex rallied to a 1-1/4-length triumph. Trump This held on for second while DS Mrmeaner (Mark Schullstrom) garnered third.

Big Sky Ex, who paid $4.80 to win, is owned by Domenico Costagliola and trained by Dennis Watson.

Calabrese made a strong bid with Shoemaker Hanover in the second division, but even with a huge late rally, he had to settle for second money as the much-traveled veteran trotter Inukchuk Chuck and driver Mark Schullstrom wired the field to score a one-length triumph over Calabrese’s trotter in 1:59.4. Third place went to Worldsstonecold As, driven by Tony Beltrami.

Inukchuk Chuck, who paid $42.40 to win, is owned by his driver and trained by Dawn Anderson.