Raymond Burt vaulted off cover and Frank Tsipouras surged from off the speed with their respective mounts to take the $9,900 divisions for the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 22).

In the first division, Burt rolled 4-5 favourite Sporty Dragon for the top but settled for the pocket as Needless To Say (Tsipouras) slid to the lead from post eight to a :27.3 first quarter. Sporty Dragon found himself shuffled as Meadowbrook Flash (Tony Beltrami) brushed to the lead through the stretch and had pressure following with American Chrome (Neil Glasser) left on the rim. 

Meadowbrook Flash led to a :56.4 half and endured first-over pressure from American Chrome to three-quarters in 1:25.4 while Burt found room to pull Sporty Dragon off the pegs and sail away from his battle-wearied foes in the lane. Sporty Dragon pulled 1-1/4 lengths clear to clock a 1:56.1 mile with Meadowbrook Flash second, Needless To Say taking third and American Chrome fourth.

Burt also owns and trains Sporty Dragon, a six-year-old gelding by Custard The Dragon. He paid $3.80 to win.

Tsipouras capitalized on the pace collapsing in the final half to charge home with Caffeine Buzz in a 1:56 mile.

Caffeine Buzz landed in seventh to a :27.1 first quarter uncorked by 41-1 shot Freds Night (Jacob Stillwell) as he kept Bionic parked from his leave attempt out of post eight. Freds Night posted a :56 half while Bionic mounted a retreat and Hes Rockin Ralphie (Beltrami) angled out of fourth to attack.

Hes Rockin Ralphie plugged forward, with Caffeine Buzz catching the cover, to three-quarters in 1:24.4 and took the lead from Freds Night coming off the turn. Caffeine Buzz kicked off cover in the lane and swooped by Hes Rockin Ralphie to the finish to win by a length with 9-5 favourite Cheyenne Ryan Lee (Wyatt Long) taking third off a pocket ride from Freds Night in fourth.

Tsipouras also trains Caffeine Buzz, a six-year-old gelding by A Rocknroll Dance, for owner Alexandra Ulrich. He paid $10 to win.

AHDC action continues next Saturday, Oct. 28 at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania for the seventh preliminary of the Fall Trotting Series. AHDC pacing events will continue at Harrah’s Philadelphia on a week-by-week basis. Horsepeople are encouraged to check the condition sheets for when divisions are open for entries (including for the Sunday, Oct. 29 card).

(AHDC)