Wilkes-Barre, PA — Anthony Verruso and Joe Faraldo both went on speed missions on Sunday (May 18) to win in their respective events for the American Harness Drivers Club on opposite sides of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Verruso went pillar to post in the $7,500 AHDC Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia with 9-2 third choice Coligny Hanover in 1:52.2.
Leaving from post seven, Verruso grabbed the point through a :28 first quarter and gradually widened his advantage through middle fractions of :56.3 and 1:24. He had the competition at his mercy spinning for home as he pulled away to register a 5-1/4 length win over 7-5 favorite and pocket chaser Master Miki (Geovany Hernandez) in second. Rose Run Woodrow (John Calabrese) checked in third, another seven lengths behind.
Izzy Estrada trains Coligny Hanover, a 6-year-old gelding by Sunshine Beach, for his Estrada Racing. He paid $11.20 to win.
A few hours later and several miles north, Joe Faraldo went down the road in the $10,000 AHDC Trot at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania with 5-2 second choice Beerthirty K in a 1:57 mile.
Faraldo took the helm to a :29 first quarter and parked challenger Just The Facts (Tony Beltrami) through middle splits of :58.4 and 1:27.2. Beerthirty K then kicked away in the stretch to post a four length victory while Just The Facts held second from BBC Sportsboy (Rob Hechkoff), who launched from second over for third.
Scott DiDomenico trains Beerthirty K, an 8-year-old gelding by Credit Winner, for owners Faraldo and Triple D Stables Inc. He paid $7.60 to win.
AHDC action continues next Sunday (May 25) with the next leg of the club’s Summer Trotting Series at Pocono. First-race post time is 6 p.m. (EDT).