Wilkes-Barre, PA — Competition proved fierce in the American Harness Driving Club (AHDC) events on Sunday (June 7), with five different drivers finding the winner’s circle across Harrah’s Philadelphia and Pocono Downs.
Geovany Hernandez opened the day with a pillar-to-post win behind even-money favorite Jonah in the first $8,500 division of the AHDC pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia. Hernandez carved a clip of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:26.4 to stave off pocket-popper Better Than Some (driven by Yogi Sheridan) by a half-length in a 1:56 mile. Western Bayama gave chase in third, another eight lengths behind, with Stolen Art (William Clark Jr.) leveling off from a first-over bid in fourth.
Ivan Llopez owns and trains Jonah, a 10-year-old gelding by A Rocknroll Dance. He paid $4.20 to win.
Yogi Sheridan rebounded two races later to guide even-money favorite Johnny Chip to a 1:53.1 victory in the other AHDC pace. Sheridan launched into a first-over attack after a :26.2 first quarter cut by Hashtag Money (Frank Tsipouras) and pressed on the rim through a :56.1 half and 1:23.3 three-quarters. Johnny Chip continued digging into Hashtag Money spinning for home and successfully downed that rival for a length win while Bionic (Michael Shults) rallied from second-over for third. Try Line (Charles Longo) followed the outside tow from third-over for fourth.
Izzy Estrada trains Johnny Chip, an 11-year-old gelding by Big Bad John, for owner Estrada Racing LLC. He paid $4 to win.
Two hours north up the turnpike, Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania hosted three $10,000 AHDC trotting events.
The first went to Robert Ciavardini in a front-stepping effort behind 7-1 shot Papa Joe Lozito in a 1:58.1 mile. Ciavardini cleared command from odds-on favorite and pylon starter Big Charlie Moran (John Calabrese) into a :28.2 first quarter while parking Call Me Thefireman (Cameron Capone) from third. Papa Joe Lozito cruised through a :58.1 half and 1:28.2 three-quarters with Call Me Thefireman anchored on the outside and had enough in reserve for the stretch drive to turn away longshot Jesses Doll (Yogi Sheridan) by a half-length as she rallied from second to last for second. Big Charlie Moran followed in third and Champa Bay Hall (Dante Scattolini) sat a ground-saving trip for fourth.
Thomas Merton trains Papa Joe Lozito, a 5-year-old gelding by Chapter Seven, for owners Robert Ciavardini, Richard Ciavardini and Michael Fazzinga Jr. He paid $16 to win.
Tony Ciuffetelli then pushed first-up to land Show The Will on the line first in a 1:55.4 mile to take the second AHDC trot. Ciuffetelli sat third as Green Zone (Peter Gerry) took the lead and cut fractions of :28 and :56. Show The Will launched into action up the backstretch and ranged to within a neck of the leader after three-quarters in 1:25.2. He ground down Green Zone rounding the bottom corner and scooted clear for a 2-1/4-length win with pocket-chaser Bacardi (Scott Keppler) left in third. Glenfidich (Cameron Capone) sat a pylon trip for fourth.
Vincent Ginsburg trains Show The Will, a 7-year-old gelding by Possess The Will, for owner Jaypaul Hoover. He paid $8.40 to win.
Bob Hechkoff completed the day’s AHDC action with a front-stepping 1:55.2 win by Eyes Of Justice. Hechkoff clinched the lead out of post 5 to a :27.3 first quarter and maintained his speed to a :56.2 half. Eyes Of Justice faced minimal pressure as the tempo slowed to three-quarters in 1:25.2 and stayed on the muscle to the finish chased by pocket-sitter Cal Miles N Shell (John Calabrese) in second. Smoking Jet (Mike Polansky) gave pursuit from third and Southside Bar (Yogi Sheridan) checked in fourth.
Frank Calcagni trains Eyes Of Justice, an 8-year-old gelding by Justice Hall, for owner R.B.H. Ventures Inc. He paid $7.60 to win.
AHDC action continues Sunday (June 14) 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 5 p.m. (EDT) at Pocono.