AHDC trot action at Harrah’s Philly

CHESTER, Pa.— Harness racing amateur drivers Bob Hechkoff brushed to the lead and rushed clear while Yogi Sheridan powered off a pocket trip to take their respective $9,900 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Dec. 17).

Hechkoff stormed uncovered to an open-length romp in the first AHDC division, trotting the mile in 1:56.3. Getting away fourth with Southwind Frost (E L Titan), Hehckoff stayed steady off a battle on the lead between Brownie (driven by John Calabrese) and even-money favorite Lionhead (Yogi Sheridan) parked on the rim. The pair stayed locked to the horns through a :27.4 first quarter and :57.2 half before Lionhead started to falter in the backstretch.

Southwind Frost caught brief cover but promptly vaulted by the tiring Lionhead to three-quarters in 1:26.4 and scurried from the competition through the turn. Widening through the lane, Southwind Frost crossed the beam 7-1/2 lengths better than Train (Anthony Verruso) closing for second. Puddin N Pie (Frank Tsipouras) kicked from last for third and Brownie held fourth.

Michael Fiumenero conditions Southwind Frost, a 7-year-old gelding, for owner R.B.H. Ventures Inc. He paid $5.20 to win.

SOUTHWIND FROST REPLAY

Sheridan converted a two-hole trip to a winner’s circle visit with Drazzmatazz (RC Royalty) in a 1:59.1 mile in the second AHDC division.

With LA Magic (Tony Beltrami) bolting for the lead to a :28.2 first quarter, Sheridan perched Drazzmatazz from post 6 and into the pocket. LA Magic plodded through a :59.4 half and bore a barrage first from Warrior Way (Wyatt Long), who faltered up the backstretch, and then from Keystone Apache as he blitzed from three wide to cross over and challenge for the lead.

Keystone Apache broke stride by three-quarters in 1:30, leaving LA Magic to fend off Drazzmatazz as he pulled pocket and Shoemaker Hanover (John Calabrese) as he charged three wide. Drazzmatazz grabbed the lead in the stretch and pushed to a 1-1/2-length win over LA Magic while Shoemaker Hanover levelled off in third. Dingle (Frank Tsipouras) gave chase in fourth.

Dawn Anderson trains Drazzmatazz, a 10-year-old gelding, for owner Danbry Racing Inc. He paid $16.80 to win.

DRAZZMATAZZ REPLAY

Just one more leg remains for the AHDC Fall Trotting Series with the 16th preliminary on Saturday (Dec. 23) at Freehold Raceway. The Fall Trotting Series Final will take place at Harrah’s Philadelphia on New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC