Verruso, Minore bag AHDC Trots

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.— Anthony Verruso fired down the road while Paul Minore powered off cover to score a harness racing upset in their respective $10,000 American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trots at Pocono Downs on Sunday night (July 7).

Verruso won going pillar to post in the first AHDC Trot with 2-1 second choice Big Nudge (Donato Hanover) in a 1:57.3 mile. After an early skirmish with Lionhead (driven by Yogi Sheridan) through a :29.3 first quarter, Verruso emerged on the lead with Big Nudge and cruised to a 1:00 half and 1:28 three-quarters while rebuffing a first-over push from Archibald (Mike Polansky) coming to the final turn. Big Nudge then scooted away to post a 2-1/4-length win over Lionhead, with 6-5 favorite Hunters Gal (Paul Minore) sitting a ground-saving trip for third and BBC Sportsboy (Bob Hechkoff) closing from second over for fourth.

BIG NUDGE REPLAY

Veronica Spicer trains Big Nudge, an 8-year-old gelding by Donato Hanover, and co-owns the gelding with Michael Sherman Jr. He paid $6.60 to win.

After failing with the favorite in the first AHDC Trot, Paul Minore came back with 16-1 shot Mamy Wata (Six Pack) to find the winner’s circle with a 1:55.4 effort.

Minore landed in fifth with Mamy Wata through a :28 first quarter as Eddie L (Bob Hechkoff) pushed to take control from Big Limo (Anthony Verruso). Town Victor (Yogi Sheridan) then tipped to march uncovered outside and Minore snagged the second-over seat coming to a :57.1 half. He continued perched on Sheridan’s helmet through three-quarters in 1:25.4 and thrusted forward coming for home to score a half-length win over pocket-pouncing Big Limo. Papa Doc (Tony Beltrami), the 4-5 favorite, rallied from third over for third while Certify (Mike Polansky) saved ground for fourth.

MAMY WATA REPLAY

Ron Coyne Jr. trains Mamy Wata, a 3-year-old filly by Six Pack, for owner Paul Minore. He paid $35.20 to win.

Harrah’s Philadelphia also hosted a pair of $7,500 AHDC Pacing events earlier in the afternoon. Yogi Sheridan won the first division going gate to wire with 8-5 favorite Cheddar Shredder in a 1:55.2 mile. Sheridan managed to cut an easy tempo of :27.4, :58 and 1:26.3 after turning away a mild first-over challenge from 50-1 shot Count Mara (Frank Tsipouras) and strode in a 1-1/2 length winner. A Stud Named Sam (Raymond Burt) grabbed second from pocket-sitting Pacing Major N (Joe Lee) while Phelgon (Geovany Hernandez) closed for fourth.

Shane Tritton trains Cheddar Shredder, a 4-year-old mare by Betterthancheddar, for owner EVM Racing LLC. She paid $5.20 to win.

Frank Tsipouras utilized similar speed tactics to find the winner’s circle in the other AHDC Pace division with Hes Rockin Ralphie in a 1:53.4 effort. Tsipouras fired to the fore from post 6 through a :26.4 first quarter and rated middle sectionals of :56 and 1:24 before spinning for home to cap the mile 2-1/4 lengths better than 7-5 favorite Rocknroll Gold (Geovany Hernandez), who closed for second. Shore Of Himself (Yogi Sheridan) chased from a pocket trip for third and Vicky Everday (Tony Beltrami) gave pursuit for fourth.

Anthony De Francesco IV trains Hes Rockin Ralphie, an 8-year-old gelding by Rockin Image, for owner Louis Di Tullio. He paid $11.40 to win.

AHDC action continues next Sunday (July 13) with pacing divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia and trotting divisions at Pocono Downs. First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. (EDT) and 6 p.m. (EDT) at Pocono Downs.

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

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC