Wilkes-Barre, PA — Bruce Baker flew off cover to score a closing-stride victory in the $11,000 American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 21).

Starting from post eight, Baker settled towards the rear of the field with Allindotime as Buzz (driven by Tony Ciuffetelli) blitzed for the lead after making a break through the first turn. Buzz recovered and pressed into leader Brownie (Mike Polansky) after a :28.4 first quarter and through a :59.3 half. At this point, Baker tipped Allindotime off the pegs and found himself second over behind 8-5 favorite Newell Place (John Calabrese) moving for the backstretch.

Buzz cleared command up the backside and took the field by three-quarters in 1:29.3 before tiring off the final turn. Newell Place slid to the lead into the stretch and fought to no avail to keep Allindotime at bay in the final yards. Baker bolted off cover and surged to a nose victory in 2:00.4 with Sheen a Solider (Matt Zuccarello) back in third and Lindys Booze Cruz (Anthony Verruso) closing for fourth.

Bill MacKenzie conditions Allindotime, an 8-year-old gelding by Andover Hall, for owner Alma Iafelice. He paid $26.60 to win.

The AHDC Fall Trotting Series continues next Saturday (Oct. 28) at Pocono Downs with the seventh preliminary. The AHDC will also be in competition on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 22) at Harrah’s Philadelphia for a pair of $9,900 pacing events on the 14-race card.