Verruso and Polansky tie in AHDC final – US Trotting News

Freehold, NJ — Anthony Verruso took full advantage of the pylon post with Call Me Thefireman, but Mike Polansky equally benefited from a pocket trip with My Big Kadillac. The two reached the beam inseparably, crowning both with the top prize in the $15,000 finals of the American Harness Drivers Club Trot at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (May 25).

Verruso pushed Call Me Thefireman forward while My Big Kadillac secured the spot behind the leader and 2-1 favorite Lionhead (Yogi Sheridan) slipped to third. Call Me Thefireman managed a first quarter in :29 and rolled toward the stands and through a half in :59.4, where Lionhead began his attempt to get in the way of the pacesetter at the basket. Lionhead kept getting closer to Call Me Thefireman, reaching three quarters in 1:29 but stalled on the final turn.

Call Me Thefireman remained the leader and raced into the homestretch with another opponent with ammunition in his holster. My Big Kadillac had room after a ground-saving ride in the open stretch to dive in and make one final push for the lead. Verruso and Call Me Thefireman remained in play after the mile, but My Big Kadillac shot ahead in the closing stages of the 1:59.1 mile, leaving the win to the camera. But the camera showed the two finishing virtually at the same time, giving both a dead win. Lionhead finished third, a length back.

The dead heat between Call Me Thefireman and My Big Kadillac was the only one won in the entire Winter-Spring Series at Freehold.

Symon Spicer trains Call Me Thefireman, an 8-year-old gelding by Wishing Stone, for Verruso, while Polansky owns and trains My Big Kadillac, a 10-year-old gelding by Kadabra. Call Me Thefireman earned $5.40 for the win and My Big Kadillac earned $16.40.

Pearly Allen joined Zlatan in jumping to victory in the $9,000 AHDC Consolation Prize, held in memory of Freehold’s longtime and incomparable voice: Larry Lederman.

Allen came out on top and fell behind a battle between All Rise (Tony Beltrami) and Spirit Of Success (John Calabrese) who took the first quarter in :28.2. The dust settled as All Rise took control and moved towards a half in :58.4 with Drazzmatazz (Sheridan) posing a slight threat in the first over.

All Rise continued determinedly down the homestretch to three-quarter distance in 1:29.3 and held on to the final turn as Spirit Of Success pulled out of the gap. As a gap opened up and the open stretch approached, Allen battled with Zlatan, cut the turn and raced through the inside lane to pass All Rise and win by 1-3/4 lengths in a 2:00.2 mile. All Rise settled for second while Spirit Of Success hung on in third.

Paul Fusco trains Zlatan, an 11-year-old gelding by Muscle Mass, for owner ATA Racing. He paid $17.60 for the win.

With the Freehold season coming to an end on Saturday, AHDC action will resume in 2024; dates for a summer series have yet to be announced.