Karlewicz crushes in 14-length romp

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.— Vanessa Karlewicz uncorked a lights-out harness racing performance to win one of two $10,000 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot over the weekend at Pocono Downs, while over 200 miles due northwest Candace Brandstatter-Hall collected her first Provisional-license win in one of two $7,500 amateur driving events at Batavia Downs presented in joint partnership by the AHDC and the North American Amateur Drivers Association.

Karlewicz began a busy afternoon on Saturday (Oct. 4) for the amateur drivers with a 14-3/4-length blowout by Snowman Hanover in the first AHDC Trot at Pocono Downs. Leaving from post 5, Karlewicz put Snowman Hanover on the point to a :26.4 first quarter while parking post-8 leaver All Rise (driven by Tony Beltrami) and maintaining a steady tempo to a :55.4 half. Snowman Hanover began to separate from the competition, opening a four-length lead by three-quarters in 1:24.1 and continued pulling away through the stretch to stop the clock in 1:53.4. Pocket-sitter Keystone Thunder (Matt Zuccarello) took second with Champa Bay Hall (Dante Scattolini) surviving a wide trip for third and Ima Standup Guy (Joe Faraldo), the even-money favorite, gave chase from a first-over bid in fourth.

SNOWMAN HANOVER REPLAY

Richard Aiken trains Snowman Hanover, a 5-year-old gelding by Bar Hopping, for owner Arden Homestead Stable. He paid $8.20 to win.

Tony Beltrami went down the road in the other AHDC division with 4-5 chalk Roger Rabbit in a 1:55.2 mile. Beltrami looped past Youmeandwhiskey (Geovany Hernandez) to the fore after a :28.1 first quarter and stayed strong through the remainder. Past a :57.4 half, Roger Rabbit easily rebuffed a first-over push from Big Nudge (Anthony Verruso) and carried the field to three-quarters in 1:26.2 before sealing victory by 1-3/4 lengths. Youmeandwhiskey settled for second with Psalmsfortysixfive (Scott Keppler) grabbing third and Big Nudge fading to fourth.

Mark Ford trains Roger Rabbit, an 8-year-old gelding by Sebastian K S, for owners George and Rose Bonomo. He paid $3.60 to win.

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

Later that evening, Candace Brandstatter-Hall opened the amateur driving action taking place at Batavia Downs with a mild 8-1 upset by Reggiano in a 1:57.1 mile. She stalked a steady tempo of :28.1 and :58.2 carved by Shoreview (Charles Longo) before lifting into action and seizing command heading for three-quarters in 1:27.1. Reggiano then withstood a late bid from Rumored (Robert Ciavardini) to hold on for a head victory while Shoreview settled for third and Merito Hanover (Joe Faraldo) checked in fourth.

REGGIANO REPLAY

Marc Shuttleworth owns and trains Reggiano, a 13-year-old gelding by Western Terror. Brandstatter-Hall, prolific as a trainer, scored her first “P” license win with the gelding and the second driving win of her career – her first coming in her first drive when winning at an Ohio fair in 2024. The gelding paid $19.06 to win.

George Ketros delivered 6-5 favorite Tymal Envoy to a 1:56.1 victory in the other amateur driving division at Batavia Downs. Ketros protected position from the pylon post and battled first-up Memphistennessee N (Matt Zuccarello) through fractions of :28, :57 and 1:27. Memphistennessee N eventually levelled off from the wide trip and Tymal Envoy scooted away for a 2-1/2-length win. Timeto Communicate (Charles Longo), sitting a pocket trip, took second with Lyons Pride (Bob Davis) rallying for third and Memphistennessee N settling for fourth.

Sam Smith trains Tymal Envoy, a 4-year-old gelding by Bettor’s Delight, for owner Three Ring Circus Stable. He paid $4.70 to win.

AHDC action resumes with trotting divisions at Pocono Downs scheduled for Saturday (Oct. 11) and pacing divisions slated at Harrah’s Philadelphia for Sunday (Oct. 12). First-race post time at Pocono Downs is 1 p.m. (EDT) and 12:40 p.m. (EDT) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

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

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC