Chester, PA — Raymond Burt collected a pair of wins and Tony Beltrami scored as the chalk in the three $7,500 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Oct. 14).
Burt romped in the first division with a swooping move by Wilsons Vinner to clock a 1:56.2 mile.
Wilsons Vinner sat fourth behind a speed battle punched by Artspire (Beltrami) and Hello Rocky (Geovany Hernandez) and waited until the heat of :27 and :55.3 early fractions chilled to pounce. Burt launched Wilsons Vinner around a faltering Hello Rocky moving for three-quarters in 1:25.2 and easily downed Artspire on the spin for home. Wilsons Vinner motored for the finish to notch a four-length win over 65-1 shot In Nevada N (Bruno Chiodo), who closed for second. Skyway Billy (Yogi Sheridan) saved ground for third and Artspire faded to fourth.
Burt trains and owns Wilsons Vinner, a 7-year-old gelding by Sunshine Beach. He paid $12 to win.
Burt bookended the AHDC events with a 26-1 win off a pocket trip with Gemini Express in the third AHDC division, timed in 1:55.3.
Burt again found himself nested off a contentious lead as he followed the trail of pacesetter Hes Rockin Ralphie through splits of :26.4, :56 and 1:25. Rogers Image (Sheridan), the 1-5 favorite, marched steadily first over through the mile to increase pressure on Hes Rockin Ralphie, and the pair locked in battle into the final turn. Gemini Express awaited the open stretch to pounce with fresh legs and overhauled the leg-weary battlers and claimed a three-quarter length victory over Machlicious (Beltrami), who also rallied from a ground-saving trip late. Rogers Image held third.
David Hrabovsky trains and co-owns Gemini Express, a 5-year-old gelding by Huntsville, with Peter Hrabovsky. He paid $55.80 to win.
Beltrami persisted on the point in the middle AHDC division to register a 1:55.2 win with Saulsbrook Raptor, the 6-5 favorite.
After facing a challenge from Riot (Pearly Allen) through a :26.4 first quarter, Saulsbrook Raptor fought back to retake the lead while thwarting the first-over push of Master Miki (Hernandez) into a :56.3 half. Master Miki began to waver on the rim moving for three-quarters in 1:25.2 while Saulsbrook Raptor stayed resolute on the point through the final turn and down the stretch to a 1-1/2 length win. Sand Sniper (Sheridan) swooped onto the scene late to give chase from the trail in second while Caviart Skipper (Lesley McDaniel) recovered from a break in stride for third, beaten another five lengths, and Master Miki faded to fourth.
Eddie Sager trains Saulsbrook Raptor, a 5-year-old gelding by Shadow Play, for owner Hemlock Racing Stable Inc. He paid $4.60 to win.
AHDC action resumes at Pocono on Saturday (Oct. 19) with the next preliminary for the club’s Fall Trotting Series. First-race post time at Pocono is 1 p.m. (EDT).