Massive Matter delivers for Beltrami in AHDC Trot

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.— Tony Beltrami bounded from off the speed to win the lone $10,000 dash of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Pocono Downs on Saturday (Nov. 8) while Lee and Hernandez emerged victorious in their respective $7,500 harness racing divisions of the AHDC Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Nov. 9).

In the AHDC Trot, Tony Beltrami brushed from last for a 1:58.1 win with Massive Matter (Explosive Matter) as the 2-5 favorite. Beltrami landed in seventh out of post 7 to a :28 first quarter cut by Certify (driven by Mike Polansky) and began a bid off the pylons passing a :58.1 half. The tempo stayed steady up the backstretch, prompting Beltrami to launch his charge up the backstretch. Massive Matter loomed to within two lengths of the lead by three-quarters in 1:28.1 and carried momentum all through the turn before finally overpowering Certify in the lane for a three-quarter length win. Mamy Wata (Paul Minore) closed for third off a ground-saving trip and pocket-chaser Youmeandwhiskey (Geovany Hernandez) settled for fourth.

MASSIVE MATTER REPLAY

Frank Catalfamo owns and trains Massive Matter, a 7-year-old gelding by Explosive Matter. He paid $2.80 to win.

Joe Lee won the first of two AHDC Pace divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia with a 1:55 effort by Big Bad Bill. Lee sat off of :27 and :55.4 speed set by Bionic (Michael Shults) before making his attack. He pulled off the pylons once 5-2 favorite Bluebird Crush (Yogi Sheridan) retreated in his first-over bid and advanced towards the leader on the march to three-quarters in 1:24.2. Big Bad Bill kept reeling in the tiring leader and slid to the front in the stretch, wrapping the mile a length winner. Redding Hanover (Geovany Hernandez) rallied from last for third and pocket-sitter Drinkin Again (Anthony Verruso) took fourth.

Julius Czermann Jr. trains Big Bad Bill, an 11-year-old gelding by Badlands Hanover, for owner Joseph Loprete. He paid $10.60 to win.

Geovany Hernandez later pounced off a pocket trip with Master Miki for a 1:54 win in the other AHDC Pace. Hernandez perched onto pacesetter Warrawee Xceed (Charles Longo) through a clip of :27.2, :56.2 and 1:25 but lacked room through the turn with Revolver N (Michael Shults) rushing from last to race alongside the leader. Once the field spun for home, Hernandez dove into the open stretch and successfully collared Warrawee Xceed on the line to win by a nose. Revolver N levelled off to finish third and Wilsons Vinner (Raymond Burt) gave chase off a pylon trip for fourth.

Geovany Hernandez owns and trains Master Miki, a 7-year-old gelding by Always B Miki. He paid $6.80 to win.

AHDC action continues with trotting divisions at Pocono Downs on Saturday (Nov. 15) and pacing divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Nov. 16). First-race post time at Pocono is 1 p.m. (EST) and 12:40 p.m. (EST) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

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

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC