CHESTER, Pa.— Joe Faraldo charged off a second-over ride and Anthony Verruso pounced from a pocket trip to win their respective $7,500 harness racing divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Sept. 8).
In the first division, Faraldo found a far-turn tow with Ima Standup Guy (Archangel) towards the front and powered over the top to a narrow win in 1:57.3.
Infinite Zette (driven by Frank Tsipouras) fired for the lead to a :28.2 first quarter with Ghibli (Anthony Verruso) settling into the pocket. Faraldo landed in fourth with Ima Standup Guy, seated behind 6-5 favorite Jive Ninety Five (Yogi Sheridan), and stayed put through a :58.2 half. Jive Ninety Five lifted off the pegs up the backstretch to take aim at Infinite Zette, and Faraldo followed that move overland to ride perched in a striking position past three-quarters in 1:27.4.
Ima Standup Guy rallied to the fore into the stretch and then fended off a late push from Big Charlie Moran (Joe Lee) to win by a quarter length. Jive Ninety Five finished third and Infinite Zette settled for fourth.
Scott Di Domenico trains Ima Standup Guy, a 5-year-old gelding by Archangel, for owners Joe Faraldo and Triple D Stables Inc. He paid $9 to win.
IMA STANDUP GUY REPLAY
Verruso capitalized off a perfect stalking setup with Need Ur Opinion (Warrawee Needy) to blow away to a 1:54.1 win in the other AHDC division.
Hes Rockin Ralphie (Pearly Allen) protected position from the pylon post and refused to relinquish control when challenged by 1-9 favorite Just A Rocket Man (Yogi Sheridan) motoring to a :26.3 first quarter. The pair remained locked in battle through a :55.1 half, and the skirmish wilted Just A Rocket Man while Hes Rockin Ralphie kept punching into the backside.
Hes Rockin Ralphie stayed resolute moving by three-quarters in 1:23.4 as Just A Rocket Man retreated, but Verruso readied Need Ur Opinion to strike at the weary pacesetter spinning for home. Need Ur Opinion seized the lead with ease coming down the lane to post a 3-1/4-length victory over Hes Rockin Ralphie, while Wilson Vinner (Raymond Burt) saved ground for third and Oh Coffee Bean (Joe Faraldo) finished fourth.
NEED UR OPINION REPLAY
Dean Eckley trains Need Ur Opinion, a 7-year-old mare by Warrawee Needy, for owner Ameer Najor. She paid $27.80 to win.
AHDC action resumes next Sunday (Sept. 15) with pacing and trotting divisions scheduled at Harrah’s Philadelphia. First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. (EDT).
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC