Tsipouras, Beltrami winners at Philly AHDC

CHESTER, Pa.— Frank Tsipouras braved a parked journey and Beltrami hammered down the road to win their respective $9,900 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon (June 18).

RICKYBOBBYNTHEHAUS REPLAY

In the first division, Tsipouras floated Rickybobbynthehaus (American Ideal) off the wings but failed to find a position at the pylons with One Lucky Dude (driven by Joe Lee) and Sporty Dragon (Raymond Burt) protecting their forward position to a :27.4 first quarter. Tsipouras nonetheless advanced and kept Rickybobbynthehaus at One Lucky Dude’s throat through a :57 half and to three-quarters in 1:25.1. Though the wide route appeared overly taxing for Rickybobbynthehaus as he lost ground on the leader around the final turn, he was resurgent upon straightening and collared One Lucky Dude by a neck at the end of a 1:54.4 mile. Sporty Dragon held third and Nathan Feelsgood (Paul Minore) took fourth.

Crissy Crissman-Bier trains Rickybobbynthehaus, a 7-year-old gelding by American Ideal, for owner P T Stable. He paid $18.80 to win.

Tony Beltrami went another gavel-slamming mile with his charge All Rise (Conway Hall) to lead pillar to post in the other division, timed in 1:56.4. Beltrami cleared command to a :28 first quarter over and eager Sorprese (Frank Tsipouras), who soon vacated his position and plied an attack on the leader through the middle half of the race. All Rise stood to the task through splits of :57.1 and 1:26.1, disposing of Sorprese to the final turn and pulling two-lengths clear to the finish. Campbellini (Dante Scattolini) grabbed second with Masster Blue (Joe Lee) third and Sorprese fourth.

ALL RISE REPLAY

Paul Fusco conditions All Rise, a 6-year-old gelding by Conway Hall, for owner Tony Beltrami. He paid $5 to win.

AHDC action continues next Sunday (June 25) at Harrah’s Philadelphia. First-race post time is 12:40 p.m. (EDT).

For complete race results, click here.

by Ray Cotolo, for AHDC