Beltrami, Baker, and Burt capture AHDC weekend events

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.— Tony Beltrami scored an easy harness racing victory in the lone $10,000 division of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Pocono Downs on Saturday (Nov. 1) while Bruce Baker and Raymond Burt took their respective $7,500 dashes of the AHDC Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Nov. 2).

Beltrami led every step with 1-9 chalk Massive Matter to post a 1:56.3 win in the AHDC Trot. After securing the lead from the pylon post, Beltrami coasted with Massive Matter through fractions of :28.4, :58.2 and 1:27.2 with minimal pressure incoming. Velociraptor (driven by Cote Keim) mounted a first-over bid out of fourth past the half and advanced up the rim, but Massive Matter remained on the muscle through the remainder and cruised in a 2-1/4-length winner. Big Nudge (Mike Polansky) gave chase from a pocket trip to finish third and Manuka (Rob Krivelin) saved ground for fourth.

MASSIVE MATTER REPLAY

Frank Catalfamo owns and trains Massive Matter, a 7-year-old gelding by Explosive Matter. He paid $2.20 to win.

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

Bruce Baker kicked off cover with Redding Hanover for a 1:55.3 win in the first of two divisions of the AHDC Pace the following day at Harrah’s Philadelphia. Baker planted into fourth behind a :27.1 first quarter cut by 2-1 favorite Uncle Ted (Yogi Sheridan) before moving outside and marching towards the leader through a :57.2 half. Redding Hanover caught cover from Western Bayama (Frank Tsipouras) up the backstretch and swelled in the wings as Uncle Ted endured the pressure through three-quarters in 1:26. The pair matched strides swinging off the bottom corner while Baker lifted Redding Hanover off cover and soared past in the stretch to register a two-length win. Pocket-sitter Drinkin Again (Geovany Hernandez) took second with Try Line (Charles Longo) emerging from a ground-saving trip for third while Western Bayama settled for fourth.

REDDING HANOVER REPLAY

Howard Birney owns and trains Redding Hanover, an 8-year-old gelding by Mach Three. He paid $9.20 to win.

Raymond Burt landed a 23-1 upset in the other AHDC Pace division when delivering Wilsons Vinner to a 1:54.3 victory. Burt rode the pylons towards the rear but made steady progress to the inside as his competitors moved outside to follow cover from Cheese Omelet (Frank Tsipouras) while he challenged Master Miki (Geovany Hernandez) for the lead. The two battled through fractions of :27.1, :56.1 and 1:24.3 before Cheese Omelet faltered through the final turn, causing the outer tier to stack and lose ground. Burt meanwhile advanced into a pocket spot behind Master Miki coming for home and zipped by with fresh legs to notch a 1-3/4-length victory while 102-1 shot Warrawee Xceed (Charles Longo) rallied from near last for third and Bettor At Hightide (Yogi Sheridan) closed from last for fourth.

Burt owns and trains Wilsons Vinner, an 8-year-old gelding by Sunshine Beach. He paid $48.20 to win.

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

AHDC action resumes with trotting divisions at Pocono Downs on Saturday (Nov. 8) and pacing divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Nov. 9). First-race post time at Pocono Downs is 1 p.m. (EST) and 12:40 p.m. (EST) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC