Chester, PA — Raymond Burt and Geovany Hernandez vaulted off pocket rides to win their respective $7,500 American Harness Drivers Club divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Dec. 15).
Burt bolted with even-money chalk Mister Boinga to take the AHDC trot in 1:59.2.
Mister Boinga stalked tempo-setter Archibald (Hernandez) through fractions of :28.1, :57.4 and 1:28.3 before lifting off the final turn and surging forward to a 2-3/4 length win going away. Big Nudge (Anthony Verruso) rallied from a second-over trip to snag second from Archibald.
Jill Roland trains Mister Boinga, a 6-year-old gelding by Bar Hopping, for owner Bernard O’Brien. He paid $4.20 to win.
Hernandez rebounded in the AHDC pace with 9-2 third choice Master Miki winning in a 1:55.1 mile.
Master Miki chased pacesetter Badditude (Yogi Sheridan) through a clip of :29.1, :58.1 and 1:26.2 before laying aim in the stretch drive. Hernandez launched off the pocket trip and downed Badditude in the stretch to open two lengths at the finish. Six Feet Apart (Frank Tsipouras) chased the top pair to take third, another two lengths behind.
Hernandez owns and trains Master Miki, a 6-year-old gelding by Always B Miki. He paid $11 to win.
AHDC action resumes at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (Dec. 21). First-race post time is 12:30 p.m. (EST).