Chester, PA – Joe Lee, Geovany Hernandez and Michael Fiumenero all found the winner’s circle in their respective American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) divisions on Sunday (Dec. 21) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Joe Lee opened proceedings with a 1:54.2 romp by 6-1 shot Rose Run Woodrow in the first of two $7,500 divisions for the AHDC paces. Lee launched his charge out of third after pacesetter Lew Hauber (driven by Geovany Hernandez) carved splits of :27.1 and :56. Rose Run Woodrow swept to the lead and gradually widened his margin through three-quarters in 1:24.3 to then roll 7-1/2 lengths clear at the finish. Try Line (Bruce Baker), off at 64-1, gave chase in second with even-money favorite Seeyou At Thebeach (Tony Beltrami) closing for third. Lenda Hand Man (Stacey McLenaghan) finished fourth.
Al Annunziata owns and trains Rose Run Woodrow, a 7-year-old gelding by Captaintreacherous. He paid $14.20 to win.
After Hernandez’s charge tired in the first division of the AHDC paces, he returned a few races later to crush the competition with 7-5 favorite Drinkin Again in a 1:55.2 mile. Hernandez blitzed leader Gouda Man (Yogi Sheridan) after a clip of :27.2 and :56.3 to take the lead. Once in control, Drinkin Again scurried away, clocking three-quarters in 1:25.2 in progress to a 9-3/4-length victory. Uncle Coz (Anthony Verruso) settled for second off a pocket trip with A Stud Named Sam (Tony Beltrami) rallying for third. Redding Hanover (Joe Lee) took fourth.
Philip Jasper owns and trains Drinkin Again, an 11-year-old stallion by Real Artist. He paid $4.80 to win.
Michael Fiumenero later nabbed the lone $7,500 AHDC trot by a much slimmer margin from the other blowouts with an 11-1 upset by Certify in 1:58.4. Fiumenero repelled early challenger Keystone Thunder (Matt Zuccarello) to lead the field to a :28.4 first quarter and :58.4 first half. Pocket-sitter Crossfit Mouse (Stacey McLenaghan) pulled from the pocket up the backstretch and pressed into Certify from three-quarters in 1:28.1 all through the stretch drive. Certify held his ground in the lane and registered a quarter-length win over Crossfit Mouse with Big Nudge (Anthony Verruso) kicking from second-over for third and even-money favorite Love This Bar (Bruce Baker) closed for fourth.
Michael Fiumenero owns and trains Certify, a 9-year-old gelding by Credit Winner. He paid $25.60 to win.
AHDC action concludes for 2025 next Sunday (Dec. 28) at Harrah’s Philadelphia with pacing and trotting divisions scheduled. First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. (EST).