Beltrami dominates AHDC Trots

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.— Tony Beltrami found the winner’s circle in both of the $10,000 American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) harness racing divisions at Pocono Downs on a busy Sunday (Aug. 31) of racing for the club.

Beltrami found a pocket trip for Itsoneofthose (Chapter Seven) to claim a 1:57 victory in the opening division of the AHDC Trot. After getting away fifth through a :28.3 first quarter, Beltrami found cover from Feeriedesbrouetsfr (driven by Bob Krivelin) and pushed along the rim approaching a :57.3 half. Tempo-setter Big Nudge (Anthony Verruso) parked Feeriedesbrouetsfr through the second turn and peeled far enough ahead of favored Gatsby (Steven Reisenweaver) that Beltrami had ample room to tuck into a pocket with Itsoneofthose. Feeriedesbrouetsfr retreated up the backstretch as Big Nudge coasted to three-quarters in 1:27.2, but all the while Itsoneofthose swelled in the pocket and, upon turning for home, burst by Big Nudge to post a three-quarter length win. Gatsby rallied for second while Big Nudge tired to third and Im The Muscle (Dante Scattolini) finished fourth another five lengths back.

ITSONEOFTHOSE REPLAY

Mike Watson trains Itsoneofthose, an 8-year-old gelding by Chapter Seven, for owner Clifford Grundy. He paid $6.40 to win.

In the second AHDC Trot, Beltrami had a more straightforward pillar-to-post path to get even-money favorite Massive Matter to the winner’s circle with a 1:55 effort. Beltrami swooped for the lead out of post 7 to a :28 first quarter and dawdled to a :58 half with minimal challenge incoming.

Massive Matter upped the tempo to three-quarters in 1:26.2 and drew away from his competition in the lane to register a 4-1/4-length win over pocket-chaser Big Limo (Anthony Verruso) in second. Velociraptor (Cote Keim) took third and Mamy Wata (Paul Minore) finished fourth.

MASSIVE MATTER REPLAY

Frank Catalfamo owns and trains Massive Matter, a 7-year-old gelding by Explosive Matter. He paid $4 to win.

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

Earlier in the day, Harrah’s Philadelphia hosted three $7,500 divisions of the AHDC Pace. Anthony Verruso took the first division with an off-the-pace push by Iammrbrightside N in a 1:55.1 mile.

IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE REPLAY

Master Miki (Geovany Hernandez), the even-money favorite, led the bunch by a :27.3 first quarter while Verruso plotted his attack out of sixth. He tipped outside with Iammrbrightside N moving to a :57.4 half and grabbed cover from Crunchy (John Calabrese) in the second turn. Verruso took his time tracking a helmet to three-quarters in 1:25.4 and then fanned wide off the final turn. Iammrbrightside N stormed down the center of the track with a swaying headpole to gobble up Master Miki, who settled for third, and hold off a late rally from 41-1 shot Choice Is Yours (Bruce Baker) to win by three-quarter lengths. Crunchy held fourth.

Veronica Spicer trains Iammrbrightside N, a 15-year-old stallion by Julius Caesar, for owner Anthony Verruso. He paid $15.20 to win.

Yogi Sheridan won in the following race going down the road with Grateful Kiss in a 1:57.3 mile. Once Sheridan took the lead to a :28.2 first quarter, he backed proceedings to a :59.1 half, at which point he accelerated for the backstretch to three-quarters in 1:28 and his competition had little response. Exciting Times A (Mickey Goldin) folded from a first-over bid while 6-5 favorite Telitonthemountain (Michael Shults) tried to give pursuit off a second-over trip, but Grateful Kiss nonetheless spurted away to a 4-3/4-length win. Telitonthemountain took second with The Opener (Bruce Baker) finishing third and Classic (Geovany Hernandez) closing from last for fourth.

GRATEFULL KISS REPLAY

Salvatore Sciarrino trains Grateful Kiss, an 8-year-old Well Said gelding, for owner Humpback Hill Farm LLC. He paid $8.20 to win.

Geovany Hernandez landed in the final AHDC Pace division with 4-5 favorite Phelgon closing successfully for a 1:55.3 win. Hernandez bided his time towards the rear of the field as Fred’s Night (Philip Kozak) cut fractions of :27.4 and :57.1 before tiring out of contention. Bionic (Michael Shults) swept first over and Hernandez caught his cover briefly moving for three-quarters in 1:26.1. Phelgon continued to fight when uncovered and downed Bionic in the stretch while sliding away to a 2-3/4-length win. Backstreet Lawyer (Matt Zuccarello) finished third, another six lengths behind, and Pearl Harbour N (Bruce Baker) took fourth.

Geovany Hernandez owns and trains Phelgon, a 7-year-old mare by Rockin Image. She paid $3.80 to win.

AHDC action continues next Saturday (Sept. 6) with trotting divisions at Pocono Downs and on Sunday (Sept. 7) with pacing divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia. First-race post time at Pocono Downs is 6 p.m. (EDT) and 12:40 p.m. (EDT) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

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

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC