Wilkes-Barre, PA –  Tony Beltrami bolted from the pocket and James Slendorn led pillar to post to take their respective $11,000 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club Trot opening preliminary for its Summer Series on Sunday night (June 4) at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.

Lindys Booze Cruz (1) with Tony Beltrami were winners is the first of two AHDC Trot divisions at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania. Curtis Salonick Photo.

In the first division, Tony Beltrami procured the pocket with Lindys Booze Cruz to stalk King Cast (driven by Jacob Stillwell) to a :28.3 first quarter. Lindys Booze Cruz stayed put and perched behind the leader as 7-5 favorite Blogmaster (John Calabrese) came charging first over with Campbellini (Dante Scattolini) in tow to a :58.4 half. Blogmaster kept digging into the leader through three-quarters in 1:28.1 and snagged a narrow lead spinning for home. But Lindys Booze Cruz cut the corner into the open stretch and slid through the open stretch to score by a neck in 1:58.2. Blogmaster held second with Winneress (Anthony Verruso) diving up the inside for third and King Cast holding fourth.

Paul Fusco trains Lindys Booze Cruz, a 5-year-old gelding by Bar Hopping, for owner Elite Harness Racing LLC. He paid $10.40 to win.

Willy Walton with James Slendorn were winners in the second division. Curtis Salonick Photo.

James Slendorn sped 2-5 favorite Willy Walton to the lead and waltzed around the track to take the second AHDC Trot in 1:57.

Slendorn settled on the point from post seven to a :28.3 first quarter with Jive Ninety Five (Yogi Sheridan) sitting the pocket.

Southwind Frost (Robert Hechkoff) tried a first-over grind to a :58.3 half but made no inroads through three-quarters in 1:28.1. Willy Walton was left on a loose lead when Southwind Frost broke stride to the top of the stretch, and he coasted home a length winner over Jive Ninety Five. Trump This (Dante Scattolini) took third and Masster Blue (Anthony Verruso) finished fourth.

Chris Height conditions Willy Walton, a 9-year-old gelding by CR Royal Flush, for owner James Slendorn. He paid $2.80 to win.

AHDC action resumes next Sunday (June 11) at Harrah’s Philadelphia. First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. (EDT).