AHDC amateur action at both Philly and Pocono

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.— Bob Hechkoff strode down the road and Tony Beltrami ripped from off the speed to win their respective $10,000 harness racing divisions for the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Pocono Downs on Sunday night (Aug. 12).

Hechkoff scored his gate-to-wire win in the first AHDC Trot division with Dwight Hanover (Cantab Hall) in 1:56.4. Dwight Hanover held his ground all through the mile, as he faced unending pressure from first-up Snowman Hanover (driven by Peter Gerry) through fractions of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:27.1 before he eventually relented. Hunters Gal (William Clark Jr.) then took aim at Dwight Hanover in the lane off a pocket ride, but Dwight Hanover stayed course and clicked in a length winner.

The two scooted well clear of Winneress (Anthony Verruso) in third, beaten another four lengths, while Awol Hanover (Steven Reisenweaver) rode the pylons for fourth.

Frank Calcagni owns and trains Dwight Hanover, a 4-year-old gelding. He paid $8.40 to win.

DWIGHT HANOVER REPLAY

Tony Beltrami bolted to the center of the track off the turn with Quiksilvr Bluechip (Credit Winner) and roared home to win the second division of the AHDC Trot in 1:56.2.

Quiksilvr Bluechip sat steady as Fashion Ken (Bob Hechkoff) carved fractions of :27.2, :57.4 and 1:26.4 under minimal pressure. But Fashion Ken trotted evenly turning for home while Ghibli (Anthony Verruso) swung off the pegs and Beltrami sent Quiksilvr Bluechip even deeper on the track.

Quiksilvr Bluechip gathered his feet and zipped by to a widening 4-1/4-length victory at the beam. Ghibli took second with Fashion Ken finishing third and pocket-QUIrider Dingle (John Calabrese) finishing fourth.

Richard Johnson trains Quiksilvr Bluechip, an 8-year-old gelding, for owner Carmen Iannacone. He paid $3.00 to win.

QUIKSILVR BLUECHIP REPLAY

Yogi Sheridan scored a double in the three $7,500 AHDC Pace divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia earlier Sunday afternoon. Sheridan’s first win on the day came in the first division when he overcame post 8 with Ship Wreck Beach K (Somebeachsomewhere) to win in 1:54.2.

Sheridan floated outward with Ship Wreck Beach K but raced parked to a :27.4 first quarter, though he caught cover from Sunshine’s Finest (William Clark Jr.) and followed his tow through a :57 half. Ship Wreck Beach K stayed perched on that cover through three-quarters in 1:24.4 and sprung to action around the final turn.

He seized the lead through the stretch to down pacesetter Hes Rockin Ralphie (Pearly Allen) by a length with Lovethewayyoulie (Bruno Chiodo) closing for third and Firstup (John Urbanski) coming from last for fourth.

Izzy Estrada trains Ship Wreck Beach K, a 6-year-old gelding, for his Estrada Racing LLC. He paid $6.80 to win.

SHIP WRECK BEACH K REPLAY

Sheridan then scored another late-powering win in the second AHDC Pace division behind Keep Us Happy (Keep It Real) in 1:55.1.

Spinnaker Hanover (Michael Shults), the 3-2 favorite, cut a sensible clip of :27.3, :56.1 and 1:24.4 before hitting a wall on the turn for home. Pocket-sitter Paprike Blue Chip (William Clark Jr.) lifted into action, but Sheridan came charging through from mid-pack with Keep Us Happy, who then pushed past to a 2-3/4-length win. Paprike Blue Chip took second with Spinnaker Hanover third and Tony N Rock (Anthony Verruso) finishing fourth.

Jose Ramos trains Keep Us Happy, a 5-year-old gelding, for owner Ramos Racing LLC. He paid $9.60 to win.

KEEP US HAPPY REPLAY

Anthony Verruso romped in the other division of the AHDC Pace with Dance Partner (Keep It Real) in 1:54.1.

He sat second to pacesetter Stop Staring (Tony Beltrami) through fractions of :28 and :57.2 before Verruso looped forward. Grabbing the lead through three-quarters in 1:24.4, Dance Partner boogied clear to a four-length win over Bette Tina (William Clark Jr.) taking over second. Wilsons Vinner (Raymond Burt) finished third and Stop Staring faded to fourth.

Bill MacKenzie trains Dance Partner, a 5-year-old gelding, for owners Alma Iafelice, Vincent Ali Jr. and Lawrence Miller. He paid $3.60 to win.

DANCE PARTNER REPLAY

AHDC action continues at Pocono Downs next Sunday (Aug. 19) for the next preliminary of the club’s Summer Trotting Series. First-race post time at Pocono Downs is 6 p.m. (EDT).

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

For complete Harrah’s Philadelphia race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC