Wilkes-Barre, PA — Bob Hechkoff strode down the road and Tony Beltrami ripped from off the speed to win their respective $10,000 divisions for the American Harness Drivers Club Trot at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Sunday night (Aug. 12).
Hechkoff scored his gate-to-wire win in the first AHDC Trot division with Dwight Hanover in 1:56.4.
Dwight Hanover held his ground all through the mile, as he faced unending pressure from first-up Snowman Hanover (Peter Gerry) through fractions of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:27.1 before he eventually relented. Hunters Gal (William Clark Jr.) then took aim at Dwight Hanover in the lane off a pocket ride, but Dwight Hanover stayed the course and clicked in a length winner. The two scooted well clear of Winneress (Anthony Verruso) in third, beaten another four lengths.
Frank Calcagni owns and trains Dwight Hanover, a 4-year-old gelding by Cantab Hall. He paid $8.40 to win.
Beltrami bolted to the center of the track off the turn with Quiksilvr Bluechip and roared home to win the second division of the AHDC Trot in 1:56.2.
Quiksilvr Bluechip sat steady as Fashion Ken (Hechkoff) carved fractions of :27.2, :57.4 and 1:26.4 under minimal pressure. But Fashion Ken trotted evenly turning for home while Ghibli (Verruso) swung off the pegs and Beltrami sent Quiksilvr Bluechip even deeper on the track. Quiksilvr Bluechip gathered his feet and zipped by to a widening 4-1/4 length victory at the beam. Ghibli took second with Fashion Ken finishing third.
Richard Johnson trains Quiksilvr Bluechip, an 8-year-old gelding by Credit Winner, for owner Carmen Iannacone. He paid $3 to win.
Yogi Sheridan scored a double in the three $7,500 AHDC Pace divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia earlier Sunday afternoon.
Sheridan’s first win on the day came in the first division when he overcame post eight with Ship Wreck Beach K to win in 1:54.2.
Sheridan floated outward with Ship Wreck Beach K but raced parked to a :27.4 first quarter, though he caught cover from Sunshine’s Finest (Clark Jr.) and followed his tow through a :57 half. Ship Wreck Beach K stayed perched on that cover through three-quarters in 1:24.4 and sprung to action around the final turn. He seized the lead through the stretch to down pacesetter Hes Rockin Ralphie (Pearly Allen) by a length with Lovethewayyoulie (Bruno Chiodo) closing for third.
Izzy Estrada trains Ship Wreck Beach K, a 6-year-old gelding by Somebeachsomewhere, for his Estrada Racing. He paid $6.80 to win.
Sheridan then scored another late-powering win in the second AHDC Pace division behind Keep Us Happy in 1:55.1.
Spinnaker Hanover (Michael Shults), the 3-2 favorite, cut a sensible clip of :27.3, :56.1 and 1:24.4 before hitting a wall on the turn for home. Pocket-sitter Paprike Blue Chip (Clark Jr.) lifted into action but Sheridan came charging through from mid-pack with Keep Us Happy, who then pushed past to a 2-3/4 length win. Paprike Blue Chip took second with Spinnaker Hanover third.
Jose Ramos trains Keep Us Happy, a 5-year-old gelding by Keep It Real, for owner Ramos Racing. He paid $9.60 to win.
Verruso romped in the other division of the AHDC Pace with Dance Partner in 1:54.1. He sat second to pacesetter Stop Staring (Beltrami) through fractions of :28 and :57.2 before Verruso looped forward. Grabbing the lead through three-quarters in 1:24.4, Dance Partner boogied clear to a four-length win over Bette Tina (Clark Jr.) taking over second. Wilsons Vinner (Raymond Burt) finished third and Stop Staring faded to fourth.
Bill MacKenzie trains Dance Partner, a 5-year-old gelding by A Rocknroll Dance, for owners Alma Iafelice, Vincent Ali Jr. and Lawrence Miller. He paid $3.60 to win.
AHDC action continues at Pocono next Sunday (Aug. 19) for the next preliminary of the club’s Summer Trotting Series. First-race post time at Pocono is 6 p.m. (EDT).