Bob Hechkoff fired down the highway and John Calabrese power brushed through the final turn with their respective trotters to claim $11,000 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 28).
In the first division, Hechkoff sent Keystone Apache for the front and rolled the rest of the way home. He steamed through fractions of :28, :57.4 and 1:26.3 to spin for home on fumes, though his competition made no inroads in the 1:57.4 mile. Odds-on favourite Dingle (John Calabrese) closed off a pylon trip for second, beaten two lengths, with Lindys Booze Cruz (Tony Beltrami) third and Bang Bang Boinga (Yogi Sheridan) fourth.
Michael Fiumenero trains Keystone Apache, an eight-year-old gelding by Explosive Matter, for owner R B H Ventures Inc. He paid $6.40 to win.
Calabrese also had the favourite in the second division but scored a decisive win in 1:57 behind Newell Place.
Newell Place settled into fourth from the pylon post to a :28.2 first quarter set by Fashion On A Star (Yogi Sheridan), who continued undisturbed to a :58 half. Calabrese launched Newell Place off the pegs up the backside and seized the lead after three-quarters in 1:26.3 before drawing clear. Newell Place opened up 3-1/2 lengths to the finish to deliver on a 3-5 promise over Southwind Frost (Bob Hechkoff) rallying for second. All Rise (Tony Beltrami) took third and Fashion On A Star finished fourth via placing.
Calabrese also conditions Newell Place, a four-year-old mare by Andover Hall, for his Calabrese Farms LLC. He paid $3.40 to win.
AHDC action shifts to Harrah’s Philadelphia next Sunday, Nov. 5 for the eighth leg of the Fall Trotting Series. The AHDC will also be in competition on Sunday, Oct. 29 for a pair of $9,900 pacing events at Harrah’s Philadelphia. First-race post time is 12:40 p.m. (EDT).
(With files from AHDC)