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CHESTER, Pa.— Raymond Burt collected a pair of harness racing wins and Tony Beltrami scored as the chalk in the three $7,500 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Oct. 14).
Burt romped in the first division with a swooping move by Wilsons Vinner (Sunshine Beach) to clock a 1:56.2 mile.
Wilsons Vinner sat fourth behind a speed battle punched by Artspire (driven by Tony Beltrami) and Hello Rocky (Geovany Hernandez) and waited until the heat of :27 and :55.3 early fractions chilled to pounce. Burt launched Wilsons Vinner around a faltering Hello Rocky moving for three-quarters in 1:25.2 and easily downed Artspire on the spin for home.
Wilsons Vinner motored for the finish to notch a four-length win over 65-1 shot In Nevada N (Bruno Chiodo), who closed for second. Skyway Billy (Yogi Sheridan) saved ground for third and Artspire faded to fourth.
RAYMOND BURT / WILSONS VINNER REPLAY
Raymond Burt trains and owns Wilsons Vinner, a 7-year-old gelding. He paid $12 to win.
Burt bookended the AHDC events with a 26-1 win off a pocket trip with Gemini Express (Huntsville) in the third AHDC division, timed in 1:55.3.
Burt again found himself nested off a contentious lead as he followed the trail of pacesetter Hes Rockin Ralphie through splits of :26.4, :56 and 1:25. Rogers Image (Yogi Sheridan), the 1-5 favorite, marched steadily first over through the mile to increase pressure on Hes Rockin Ralphie, and the pair locked in battle into the final turn. Gemini Express awaited the open stretch to pounce with fresh legs and overhaul the leg-weary battlers and claim a three-quarter length victory over Machlicious (Tony Beltrami), who also rallied from a ground-saving trip late. Rogers Image held third and Lovethewayyoulie (Bruno Chiodo) kicked from third over for fourth.
RAYMOND BURT / GEMINI EXPRESS REPLAY
David Hrabovsky trains and co-owns Gemini Express, a 5-year-old gelding, with Peter Hrabovsky. He paid $55.80 to win.
Tony Beltrami persisted on the point in the middle AHDC division to register a 1:55.2 win with Saulsbrook Raptor (Shadow Play), the 6-5 favorite.
After facing a challenge from Riot (Pearly Allen) through a :26.4 first quarter, Saulsbrook Raptor fought back to retake the lead while thwarting the first-over push of Master Miki (Geovany Hernandez) into a :56.3 half. Master Miki began to waver on the rim moving for three-quarters in 1:25.2 while Saulsbrook Raptor stayed resolute on the point through the final turn and down the stretch to a 1-1/2-length win. Sand Sniper (Yogi Sheridan) swooped onto the scene late to give chase from the trail in second while Caviart Skipper (Lesley McDaniel) recovered from a break in stride for third, beaten another five lengths, and Master Miki faded to fourth.
TONY BELTRAMI / SAULSBROOK RAPTOR REPLAY
Eddie Sager trains Saulsbrook Raptor, a 5-year-old gelding, for owner Hemlock Racing Stable Inc. He paid $4.60 to win.
AHDC action resumes at Pocono Downs on Saturday (Oct. 19) with the next preliminary for the club’s Fall Trotting Series. First-race post time at Pocono is 1 p.m. (EDT).
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Ray Cotolo, for AHDC
