Reisenweaver, Verruso take AHDC splits

CHESTER, Pa.— Steven Reisenweaver grabbed and clung to a late lead and Anthony Verruso powered off a helmet to win their respective $9,900 harness racing divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Dec. 3).

In the first division, Reisenweaver landed in third from the pylon post with Awol Hanover (Donato Hanover) and sat off the speed carved by Brownie (driven by Mike Polansky) to a :28.4 first quarter. Manuka (Robert Krivelin) drafted from the pocket but broke stride past a 1:00 half, which handed the pocket to Awol Hanover.

Brownie continued brave on the lead to three-quarters in 1:29.2 but lost stride coming into the stretch. Awol Hanover inherited the lead and fought to hold control to the finish of a 2:00.3 mile. He fended off a late push from Fashion Cantab (Anthony Verruso) by a half-length with favorite Crazy About Pat (Tony Beltrami) closing for third and Puddin N Pie (Frank Tsipouras) taking fourth.

Steven Reisenweaver owns and trains Awol Hanover, a 9-year-old gelding. He paid $24.40 to win.

AWOL HANOVER REPLAY

Winneress (Credit Winner) rallied from off the speed in rein to Anthony Verruso for a 2:00 win in the second AHDC division. Verruso floated away fifth with his charge and sat off a contested lead to a :28.4 first quarter. Zlatan (Jacob Stillwell) led the field past the stands and soon bore pressure from a parked My Big Kadillac (Mike Polansky) to a :59.3 half that persisted and intensified up the backstretch.

The two hooked into battle by three-quarters in 1:29.2 and stayed eye-to-eye through the final turn, all while Verruso perched Winneress on Polansky’s helmet spinning towards home. Once given racetrack, Winneress darted by the embattled duo and strode clear to a 1-1/2-length win. My Big Kadillac held second from Zlatan and pocket-sitter Campbellini (Dante Scattolini) finished fourth.

Symon Spicer trains Winneress, a 9-year-old gelding, for owner Anthony Verruso. He paid $7.80 to win.

WINNERESS REPLAY

AHDC action shifts back to Freehold on Saturday (Dec. 9) for the next leg of the Fall Trotting Series. The series has just two legs remaining before the final at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday, Dec. 31. First-race post time at Freehold is 12:30 p.m. (EST).

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

by Ray Cotolo, for AHDC