The Wish, Get To The Pointe, Warrawee Total capture Philly AHDC events

CHESTER, Pa.— The three American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) harness racing events at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 20) saw three different drivers land in the winner’s circle – a pair off of tight finishes and one off a blowout.

In the first event, the first $9,900 division of the AHDC Trot, John Calabrese clung to victory with The Wish (Cantab Hall) in 1:55.4. Calabrese cleared command with The Wish to a :27.3 first quarter and later found himself on a wide lead when Keystone Apache (driven by Robert Hechkoff) broke stride to a :57 half and scattered the outer tier. The Wish found himself on a four-length lead that gradually diminished after three-quarters in 1:25.3 as 3-5 favorite Lionhead (Yogi Sheridan) came charging along the rim through the final turn. Though his pursuit proved futile in the lane with The Wish hitting the finish in time to score the victory by a head. Trump This (Tony Beltrami) finished well back in third with My Big Kadillac (Mike Polansky) skimming the pegs for fourth.

THE WISH REPLAY

John Calabrese conditions The Wish, a 3-year-old homebred gelding, for his Calabrese Farms LLC. Off the 5-1 third choice, he paid $12 to win.

Sheridan landed emphatic revenge in the second $9,900 AHDC Trot to romp by open lengths with Get To The Pointe (Muscle Mass) in 1:56.2. Sheridan settled into fifth while Brownie (Mike Polansky) posted a :28 first quarter before enduring first-over pressure from Drazzmatazz (Jim King Solomon) through middle sectionals of :57.4 and 1:27. Perching onto cover from second over, Sheridan vaulted Get To The Pointe past the leading leg-weary pair and accelerated off the final turn to win by a widening 7-3/4 lengths. Brownie held second with Winneress (Anthony Verruso) riding the pylons for third and Lady Ruth (Frank Tsipouras) grabbing fourth.

GET TO THE POINTE REPLAY

Jamal Williams trains Get To The Pointe, a 5-year-old gelding, for owner Winning Action LLC. He paid $7 to win.

Tony Beltrami secured the win in the last event, the $9,900 AHDC Pace, with a similar late push to put Warrawee Total (American Ideal) in the winner’s circle through a 1:56.1 effort. Beltrami sat steady as 2-5 favorite Claytons Bettor N (James Slendorn) sparred with Nathan Feelsgood (Frank Tsipouras) after a :28 first quarter and through the middle splits of :57 and 1:25.3. Getting planted second over past the half, Beltrami bolted Warrawee Total three high to the final turn and gathered his momentum while The Downtown Bus (Anthony Verruso) readied to fire off a pocket ride. Warrawee Total outsprinted The Downtown Bus through the lane to keep a quarter-length advantage at the beam while pacesetter Claytons Bettor N settled for third and Dandy Idea (Yogi Sheridan) was fourth.

WARRAWEE TOTAL REPLAY

Eddie Sager trains Warrawee Total, an 8-year-old gelding, for owner The Right Move Racing LLC. He paid $12.40 to win.

AHDC action shifts to Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania next Sunday (Aug. 27) for the final preliminary of the club’s summer series. Pocono Downs, which has a first-race post time of 6 p.m. (EDT), will host the AHDC Final on Sunday, Sept. 10.

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

by Ray Cotolo, for AHDC