Freehold, NJ – Dave Offenberg and Johnathon Ahle each reined a winner in their American Harness Drivers Club trots Saturday (May 14) at Freehold Raceway: Offenberg scored with Fiji in 2:00 in his split while Ahle was triumphant in 1:58 with Arabella’s Cadet in their division.

Driver Dave Offenberg won the first of two American Harness Drivers Club trots Saturday (May 14) at Freehold Raceway with Fiji. Vicki Wright Photo.

In his event, Offenberg sent Fiji for the lead from the four-hole and they took command after the quarter was trotted in :29 seconds. But once on top, Offenberg played catch me if you can, and nobody could as Fiji led his competition by the half in :58.4 and they were still strong when they zipped by the three-quarters in 1:29.2. But when they headed into the final turn, Tony Verruso had Masster Blue in high gear and they trotted by Mosconi Hanover (Dante Scattolini), who was second at the time and took aim at the leader. But Fiji was strong and rebuffed all challenges to go on to a 2:00 victory. Masster Blue finished second and Mosconi Hanover garnered the show dough.

Fiji is owned by Offenberg’s Allister Stables and trained by Noel Daley. He paid $7.80 for the  ,which was Offenberg’s 63rd career driving victory.

In his division Ahle left softly with Arabella’s Cadet and was fourth at the quarter in :28.1, six lengths off the lead. When the field headed to the half, Ahle closed the gap to three lengths behind Real McCoy (Dante Scattolini) who were cutting the fractions. Up the backside, Ahle hustled Arabella’s Cadet to the lead and they began to trot away from their company and began to open daylight on the field as they coasted home an easy 8-1/4 length winner. Drazzmatazz came from far back to finish second for Jake Stillwell while Shoemaker Hanover garnered the show dough for John Calabrese.

The winner is owned by Joshua Graber and trained by Michael Posner. He paid $3.20 for the win.