Wilkes-Barre, PA — The AHDC returned to Pocono’s red clay oval with a vengeance Sunday (July 11) as Clarion Hall and Steve Oldford went a strong speedy mile besting his fellow combatants by an easy 3-1/4 lengths.

His time of 1:55.1 was the fastest mile to date for the AHDC Amateur Racing Club.

The race was not all easy for Clarion Hall. There were four strong leavers vying for the front end as the gate sprang. River Otter and Bob Hechkoff were the first pairing to secure the lead and he quickly got If I Must and Paul Minore to back off into the three hole.

Uva Hanover and Dein Spriggs then came a calling and charged to the lead. Unfortunately, that lead was short lived as Clarion Hall ranged up and took command of the field and the race just past the quarter pole in a speedy :27.2.

Oldford settled his mount onto the front end and the only real challenge from there came from a first over bid by River Otter which was easily turned aside leaving him to finish a strong second. Uva Hanover, who sat the pocket, battled to hang on for third with a fast-closing Dark Pool and Jacob Stillwell coming a long way to finish fourth.

For Clarion Hall, it was his sixth win of the year and fourth victory in a row. Amazingly, he was also claimed for the fourth week in a row. He returned $3.80 for his supporters and the exacta with River Otter paid a nice $20.40.

The AHDC will be back in action next week at Pocono with more exciting amateur racing.