Beltrami, Chiodo win in AHDC

CHESTER, Pa.— Tony Beltrami chugged forward and Bruno Chiodo landed a win by disqualification in their respective $7,500 harness racing divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Nov. 3).

Beltrami bagged a 1:54.4 win with 2-5 favorite Saulsbrook Raptor (Shadow Play) in the first division. From the pylon post, Beltrami secured a seat in fourth while Allstar Cheddar (driven by Frank Tsipouras) zipped to the lead in a :27.4 first quarter and stayed on the muscle to a :56 half. Allstar Cheddar rebuffed first-over pressure from Easy Check (Yogi Sheridan) through the first half, but bore a blitz from Meet The Creeper (Bruno Chiodo) to three-quarters in 1:25.1.

Beltrami found room to angle Saulsbrook Raptor outside and wound his charge to the center of the track spinning for home. Meet The Creeper forged to a narrow lead but lost the front once Saulsbrook Raptor gathered his momentum and slid by to score a length win at the line.

Picksixking (Michael Shults) closed from last for third and Allstar Cheddar faded to fourth.

SAULSBROOK RAPTOR / TONY BELTRAMI REPLAY

Eddie Sager trains Saulsbrook Raptor, a 5-year-old gelding, for owner Hemlock Racing Stable Inc. He paid $2.80 to win.

After the disqualification of 3-5 favorite Master Miki (Geovany Hernandez) for interference to the quarter, Bruno Chiodo and Lovethewayyoulie (Rockin Image) earned the win in a 1:54.2 mile in the second AHDC division.

Chiodo planted Lovethewayyoulie in the pocket to Hes Rockin Ralphie (Frank Tsipouras) as he sped to a :26.4 first quarter. Master Miki backed into third, stymying Stendahl Hanover (Tony Beltrami) to the pylons and wrangling Bionic (Michael Shults) back while parked on the rim. Hes Rockin Ralphie meanwhile continued winging on the point, clocking a :56.2 half and three-quarters in 1:24.4 all while Lovethewayyoulie and Master Miki waited to strike.

Chiodo angled Lovethewayyoulie outside off the bottom corner with Master Miki vaulting forward three wide and with the most fervor to finish a half-length in front. But following an inquiry, Master Miki moved from first to eighth, placed behind Stendahl Hanover, while Lovethewayyoulie ascended to the win. Hes Rockin Ralphie took second with Bionic finishing third, another five lengths away, and Latest Attraction (Matt Zuccarello) took fourth.

LOVETHEWAYYOULIE / BRUNO CHIODO REPLAY

Stacy Chiodo trains Lovethewayyoulie, a 5-year-old gelding , for owner Chiodo Racing LLC. He paid $11 to win.

AHDC action resumes with the club’s fall trotting series next Saturday (Nov. 9) at Freehold Raceway. First-race post time is 12:30 p.m. (EST).

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

by Ray Cotolo, for AHDC