Five AHDC weekend clashes

CHESTER, Pa.— Tony Beltrami swept the divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (Dec. 7) while Yogi Sheridan doubled in the three AHDC harness racing dashes at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Dec. 8).

Beltrami romped in the first AHDC division at Freehold with 3-5 favorite Grafenberg (Triumphant Caviar) in a 2:00.4 mile. Starting from the pylon post, Grafenberg grabbed the lead and traveled smoothly through a clip of :29.4, 1:01.2 and 1:31.1 before scooting away from pocket-chaser Jessies Outlawed (driven by Pearly Allen) to record a 4-3/4-length win. Winneress (Anthony Verruso) gave chase off a ground-saving trip in third and Exchequer (Bruce Baker) faded to fourth.

GRAFENBERG REPLAY

Vincent Stallworth trains Grafenberg, a 6-year-old gelding , for owner Jaypaul Hoover. He paid $3.40 to win.

Beltrami went pillar to post in the other AHDC division in a tighter victory by All Rise (Conway Hall) in a 2:01.1 mile. Leading the field to the quarter in :29, All Rise soon faced a first-over push from Awol Hanover (Steven Reisenweaver) and parked that foe through middle sectionals of :59.2 and 1:29.3. Awol Hanover stayed persistent through the final turn and in the stretch, though All Rise held his ground and waded his bid by a half length at the end. Lil’ Day Drinkin (Mickey Goldin) traveled a second-over trip for third and Hunters Gal (William Clark Jr.), the 8-5 favorite, saved ground for fourth.

ALL RISE REPLAY

Richard Johnson trains All Rise, a 7-year-old gelding, for owner Tony Beltrami. He paid $9.40 to win.

Yogi Sheridan swept the two AHDC pacing events at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday starting with a 1:54 win by even-money favorite The Will To Play (Shadow Play). After letting Bungalow Bill N (Philip Kozak) and Western Bayama (Frank Tsipouras) scuffle on the lead to a :28 first quarter, Sheridan lifted The Will To Play from the pylons, swooped to control after a :57.2 half and remained on the muscle through three-quarters in 1:25.1 and to the beam to win by four lengths. Speed Snip (Tony Beltrami) rallied for second with Bungalow Bill N holding third and A J Morelli (Matt Zuccarello) taking fourth, another nine lengths behind.

THE WILL TO PLAY REPLAY

Izzy Estrada trains The Will To Play, a 4-year-old gelding, for his Estrada Racing LLC. He paid $4 to win.

Sheridan made a similar swooping move to win the other AHDC Pace with Allstar Cheddar (Betterthancheddar) in a 1:52.4 mile. After sitting third at the pylons while Royhill (Tony Beltrami) cut early splits of :27 and :55.1, Sheridan sent Allstar Cheddar into action and seized the lead after three-quarters in 1:24. He held firmly through the lane as pocket-sitter Master Miki (Geovany Hernandez) chased to ultimately settle for second, beaten 1-3/4 lengths, with Sporty Dragon (Raymond Burt) third and Royhill fading to fourth.

ALLSTAR CHEDDAR REPLAY

Izzy Estrada trains Allstar Cheddar, a 4-year-old gelding, for his Estrada Racing LLC. He paid $7.40 to win.

Dante Scattolini delivered 7-5 chalk Bright Side Up (Muscle Hill) in the lone division of the AHDC Trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia, stopping the clock in 1:57.4. Scattolini rejected all challengers once on the point to a :29.4 first quarter and strolled unfazed through a :59.1 half and to three-quarters in 1:27.1. Bright Side Up coasted down the lane and crossed the line 3-1/2 lengths better than Reckless Reviver (Michael Fiumenero) taking second. Pocket-sitter Googoo Eyes (Matt Zuccarello) faded to third and Infinite Zette (Frank Tsipouras) took fourth.

BRIGHT SIDE UP REPLAY

Bryson Dunning trains Bright Side Up, a 5-year-old stallion, for owner Howard and Joshua Kaufman. He paid $4.60 to win.

AHDC continues on Saturday (Dec. 14) at Freehold Raceway with more divisions of the club’s trotting series. First-race post time at Freehold Raceway is 12:30 p.m. (EST).

For complete Freehold race results, click here: US Trotting results.

For complete Harrah’s Philly race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC