Wilkes-Barre, PA — Yogi Sheridan fired to the lead and down the road while Bob Hechkoff pulled an upset off a pocket ride in their respective $10,000 divisions for the American Harness Drivers Club Trot at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Saturday (Oct. 5).
In the first division, Sheridan cleared command out of post eight with Bacardi and kept rolling to post an open-length victory in 1:57.2.
Once planting onto the point after a :28.4 first quarter, Bacardi cruised to a :58.2 half on a lead that quickly grew once Brownie (Mike Polansky) broke stride from the pocket. Bacardi soon found himself on a four length lead up the backstretch and strolled through the remainder of the mile, clocking three-quarters in 1:27.4 and striding over the line a four-length winner. Gatsby (Steven Reisenweaver) inherited the pocket spot and gave chase in second with Midnight Dreams (Joseph Skowyra) settling for third and Landia (Tony Beltrami), the 2-1 favorite, settling for fourth.
Julius Czermann Jr. trains Bacardi, a 6-year-old gelding by Southwind Frank, for owner Joseph Loprete. He paid $9.40 to win.
Bob Hechkoff secured a pocket ride with 11-1 shot Dwight Hanover and zipped from the cat-bird seat to a 1:55.3 win in the second AHDC division.
Dwight Hanover pushed forward for the front but relinquished control to 1-2 choice Quiksilvr Bluechip (Beltrami) as he crossed from post eight for the lead through a :27.3 first quarter. Quiksilvr Bluechip then dealt with first-over pressure from Candy Bomber (Tony Ciuffetelli) from a :56.4 half to three-quarters in 1:26.2. Candy Bomber faltered through the turn while Quiksilvr Bluechip struggled to accelerate rounding for home. Dwight Hanover spurred into action with fresh legs to seize command and slide away to a two-length victory over Lionhead (Sheridan), who closed for second. Big Nudge (Anthony Verruso) rallied for third and Quiksilver Bluechip settled for fourth.
Frank Calcagni trains and co-owns Dwight Hanover, a 4-year-old gelding by Cantab Hall, with R.B.H. Ventures Inc. He paid $24 to win.
AHDC action resumes at Pocono Saturday (Oct. 12) for the next leg of the club’s Fall Trotting Series. First-race post time is 1 p.m. (EDT).