Wilkes-Barre, PA – Geovany Hernandez powered from off the speed to win both American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) pacing events at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon (June 29) while Tony Beltrami delivered a pair of odds-on chalks to win both AHDC trotting events later in the day at Mohegan Pennsylvania’s Pocono Downs.
Hernandez opened the day with a victory by 3-5 favorite Rocknroll Gold in a 1:53 mile. Getting away sixth while Shore Of Himself (driven by Yogi Sheridan) uncorked a :27 first quarter, Hernandez circumvented breaker Tru Lou (Neil Glasser) moving for the half and moved into an attack after a :55.3 half. Rocknroll Gold perched onto the helmet of Hes Rockin Ralphie (Frank Tsipouras), who engaged in battle with Shore Of Himself to the half and bided his time on the march to three-quarters in 1:23.4.
Shore Of Himself and Hes Rockin Ralphie remained in lockstep spinning for home while Hernandez unleashed Rocknroll Gold from the helmet and slid away to post a 1-1/2-length win. Wilsons Vinner (Raymond Burt) rallied from a ground-saving trip for second with Shore Of Himself holding third and Hes Rockin Ralphie finishing fourth.
Kelly Lancaster-Dailey trains Rocknroll Gold, a 6-year-old gelding by A Rocknroll Dance, and co-owns the gelding with Ryan Dailey. He paid $3.20 to win.
Phelgon later powered first-over to give Hernandez the victory in the other AHDC Pace in a 1:55 mile. Hernandez sat third while Pacing Major N (Neil Glasser) cut an uncontested tempo of :28.3, :58.3 and 1:25.4, and then Hernandez tipped off the pegs heading for the final turn. Phelgon ground past Pacing Major N in the lane and staved off a pair of late pursuers to win by a half-length. Flying Tiger (Michael Shults), the 4-5 favorite, closed for second with pocket-sitter Fred’s Night (Michael Dailey) taking third and Pacing Major N fading to fourth.
Hernandez owns and trains Phelgon, a 7-year-old mare by Rockin Image. She paid $5.80 to win.
In the first of two AHDC trotting events at Pocono Downs, Tony Beltrami fired down the road with 4-5 chalk All Rise to win in 1:56.4. Beltrami, after setting opening fractions of :28.4 and :58.1, only had to endure a mild first-over push from Call Me Thefireman to three-quarters in 1:27 and through the final turn. All Rise then turned for home and easily repelled that rival while scooting clear to a three-length win. Archibald (Mike Polansky) rallied for second over pocket-chaser Keystone Thunder (Michael Dailey) in third. Hunters Gal (Paul Minore) closed from last for fourth.
Deborah Daguet trains All Rise, an 8-year-old gelding by Conway Hall, for owner Beltrami. He paid $3.80 to win.
Papa Doc and Tony Beltrami erupted from a chaotic setup in the second AHDC trot to deliver as the 1-5 choice in 1:56.3. Positioned sixth early, Papa Doc watched as Town Victor (Tony Ciuffetelli) ripped a :27 first quarter with Enzio (Peter Stratton) first up to his outside. But Enzio and Eddie L (Bob Hechkoff) hooked wheels coming to a :55.3 half, scattering the backfield while leaving a headstrong Town Victor with a sizeable lead. Papa Doc circled four wide around the confusion in the backstretch and set sail after Town Victor and his dwindling five-length lead coming to three-quarters in 1:26. Town Victor came to a crawl on the turn for home as Papa Doc motored by and pulled clear to a romp of a win by 11-1/4 lengths. Big Nudge (Mike Polansky) recovered from an interference break at the half to take second from Town Victor and Eddie L checked in fourth.
Mark Ford trains Papa Doc, a 6-year-old gelding by Wishing Stone, for owners George and Rose Bonomo. He paid $2.40 to win.
AHDC action continues on Sunday (July 6) with pacing divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia and trotting divisions at Pocono Downs. First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. (EDT) and 6 p.m. (EDT) at Pocono.