$11,000 American Harness Drivers Club trot

Wilkes Barre, Pa.—When the odds on harness racing favorite, Gemologist, went off-stride in the home stretch it allowed a 21-1 shot, Muay Hanover, and driver Bob Krivelin to zoom to lead and go on to a two-length victory in a time of 1:56.4 in the $11,000 American Harness Drivers Club trot today at the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

It was a tough break for the 1-9 favorite Gemologist and driver Tony Beltrami since they appeared headed to victory but as baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra once said “it ain’t over til it’s over,”.

When the starter turned the field loose Bob Hechkoff sent River Otter to the lead from the seven-hole but quickly yielded to Beltrami who wanted the front-end with his odds on favorite.

And so with clear sailing those who backed the hot favorite felt secure as Beltrami and Gemologist cruised by he half in:56.4 and were still solid on the lead as the three quarter timer flashed 1:25.4. But as the leader headed down the long homestretch he went off-stride much to the chagrin of those who wagered on him.

As the field approached the finish line Muay Hanover who had been cruising along in fourth position,rallied to the lead and opened daylight on his competitors and rebuffed late charges from Dark Pool (Jake Stillwell) and Broadway Bruiser (Matt Zuccarello) in the 1:56.4 clocked mile.

The race winner is owned by Edward Hall and James Hall and trained by Dan Gill He paid $44.40; $26.00 and $6.20 across the board…

John Manzi