Lee Upsets in AHDC Trot

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.— Joe Lee turned away all harness racing challengers while on the lead to go pillar to post with 11-1 shot Massive Matter (Explosive Matter) and win the $10,000 American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Pocono Downs on Sunday night (July 20).

Leaving from post 5, Lee secured the lead to a :28.2 first quarter with Massive Matter while even-money chalk Papa Doc (driven by Tony Beltrami) yielded for the pocket and Keystone Thunder (Michael Dailey) sat parked on the rim in third.

Keystone Thunder slowly retreated on the outside through a :57 half as Massive Matter cruised for the backside.

Papa Doc increased pressure when pulling from the pocket on the march to three-quarters in 1:26, but Lee easily repelled that challenge and kicked clear for home to a 3-1/4-length win in 1:56.

Cal Miles N Shell (John Calabrese) closed for third and Six Sticks (Yogi Sheridan) sat a ground-saving trip for fourth.

MASSIVE MATTER REPLAY

Frank Catalfamo trains and owns Massive Matter, a 7-year-old gelding by Explosive Matter. He paid $25.40 to win.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results

Harrah’s Philadelphia also hosted a pair of $7,500 AHDC Pace events earlier in the day. William Harrison sped to a 1:54 win with Ferdinand A in the first division. He grabbed the lead through a :27.2 first quarter and forced his competition to chase through middle sectionals of :56 and 1:24. Ferdinand A coasted to a 3-3/4-length win over 7-5 favorite Rojan’s Way (Geovany Hernandez) closing for second. Born Brilliant (Joe Lee) rode the pylons for third while Sunshine’s Finest (Anthony Verruso) rallied from near last for fourth.

Kelvin Harrison trains Ferdinand A, a 12-year-old gelding by Courage Under Fire, for owner James Slendorn. He paid $13.20 to win.

Hernandez rebounded after getting foiled with the favorite in division one to deliver 3-5 chalk Phelgon to the winner’s circle off a 1:56.4 mile in division two. Phelgon sat fourth as He’s A Beach (Joe Lee) cut a quick clip of :26.4 and :56.2 before losing steam into the backstretch. Redding Hanover (Yogi Sheridan) rushed first over from last and pushed for the lead while Hernandez found clearance to swing three wide and build momentum with Phelgon through three-quarters in 1:26.4. Phelgon overpowered his rivals in the stretch and scooted away to a 3-1/4-length win with Atlantic Star (Bruce Baker) shaking free from a shuffle for second. Redding Hanover held third and Persimmon A (William Harrison) tired from a pocket trip in fourth.

Geovany Hernandez owns and trains Phelgon, a 7-year-old mare by Rockin Image. She paid $3.40 to win.

AHDC action continues next Sunday (July 27) with pacing divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia and trotting divisions at Pocono Downs. First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. (EDT) and 6 p.m. (EDT) at Pocono.

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

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC