Move over Joe Dimagio! John Calabrese is building a streak of his own. Winning an AHDC Trot event in each of the last four weeks, Calabrese continued his roll with a win on Saturday (Dec. 10) at Freehold Raceway with his pupil Shoemaker Hanover.
The race set up well for the duo as the inside three horses all made a play for the lead. The pylon rider Presidente Zette (driven by Chip Allen) gave way to My Big Kadillac (Mike Polansky) just before the eighth pole, but there was no rest for the early leavers as Call Me Thefireman (Anthony Verruso) came calling quickly to contest the lead. Polansky stung the challenging horse and they went past the quarter pole in :29 on a cold windy day.
Verruso's horse finally cleared on the second turn and they cruised past the half in :59.1. That was all Calabrese needed to see as he guided Shoemaker Hanover first over and took aim at the leader. Campbellini, who also left and got a nice tuck, followed the brave cover and the race for the finish was on.
Shoemaker Hanover cleared the tiring leader by a half length around the last turn but Call Me Thefireman gamely battled back to recapture the lead at the top of the stretch. Unfortunately for him, the well-positioned Shoemaker Hanover was easily able to pull away in mid-stretch and win by a comfortable two lengths. Campbellini charged up for the place spot with Call Me Thefireman holding on for a well contested third.
Shoemaker Hanover, a nine-year-old Cantab Hall stallion, is owned and trained by John Calabrese. The bettors were on there game making him the odds on favorite and were rewarded with a $4.20 win payout.
The AHDC will be back racing next Saturday 12/17 at Freehold and the club will be making a $5,000 Donation to The Harness Racing Hall of Fame.
(AHDC)