Two $9,900 divisions in the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) year-long series went to post on Sunday (Dec. 12) at Harrah's Philadelphia.
The first split was won by Melissa Arbia and Tuesday Morning in a 1:58.2 clocking while Paul Minore copped the other division with If I Must in 1:59.
Sent off as the 3-2 favourite in her division, Arbia hustled her trotter to the lead from the four-hole and they zipped by Inukchuk Chuck (Mark Schullstrom) in a :29.1 first quarter. From there, Tuesday Morning was the one to catch as the five-year-old Explosive Matter mare showed the way by the half in :59. In complete control, Arbia put Tuesday Morning on cruise control and they began to open daylight on the field.
At the three-quarters, Tuesday Morning had a four-length lead as Inukchuk Chuck faded and McKenzie Sowers took up the chase with Awol Hanover. But Arbia's trotter was still strong on the lead and opened up six lengths as she headed for paydirt. In the deep stretch, Tony Beltrami rallied with Dark Pool but they were only second-best at the wire as Tuesday Morning cruised home a 4-1/4-length winner in 1:58.2. Awol Hanover finished third.
The race winner is owned by JB Racing and trained by Jennifer Bongiorno. She paid $5 to win.
In the other division, Paul Minore kept If I Must off the pace as Tony Beltrami showed the way past the quarter in :29.1 with Shared Interest A. From there, Beltrami's trotter got first call all the way to the top of the lane. But as they headed for home, If I Must rallied as did TW Lauxmont (Tony Verruso) and Shared Interest A, and all three charged for the wire. But If I Must was not to be denied as he went on to victory. TW Lauxmont was second-best as Shared Interest A faded and finished third.
If I Must is owned by his driver and trained by Taylor Gower. The longest shot in the five-horse race, If I Must paid $19.60.
(With files from American Harness Drivers Club)