A short six-horse field went to post on a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon (April 10) in the $9,000 American Harness Drivers Club Trot at Freehold Raceway, and when the judges hung the official sign Shoemaker Hanover emerged victorious when John Calabrese guided the veteran trotter to a solid 1:59 triumph.
After the starter released the field Paul Minore gunned If I Must to the lead and got away with a soft :30.3 quarter as Tony Verruso settled Masster Blue in behind the leader and they were closely followed by Calabrese with Shoemaker Hanover.
When the field headed to the halfway point Calabrese moved out in front of Joe Faraldo and Always A Good Time and both trotters moved closer to the tempo-setter as the half mile time flashed 1:00.3. If I Must still showed the way but Shoemaker Hanover was on his throat-latch as they trotted by the third quarter in 1:29.4. In the homestretch they were noses apart but as they approached the finish line Calabrese's horse began to draw away and they were home free in 1:59. If I Must was was second best and Masster Blue garnered the show dough.
Shoemaker Hanover, an eight-year-old son of Cantab Hall, paid $4.80 for win. He is owned and trained by Tracy Tarantino. And for driver John Calabrese it was his fifth win in 25 starts this year for a solid .400 UDR.
(AHDC)