Keim, Verruso victorious in AHDC Trots

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.— Cote Keim and Anthony Verruso put together winning steers over a track rated “sloppy” to snag the pair of $10,000 American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trots at Pocono Downs on Saturday (Sept. 26) as part of an abbreviated weekend for the club with Sunday’s slated races at Harrah’s Philadelphia cancelled due to weather.

Keim led every step with longshot Kilimanjaro NL to post a 2:00.1 victory in the first AHDC harness racing division. Kilimanjaro NL cleared command from Mr Instigator (driven by Robert Ciavardini) to a :29.2 first quarter and trotted comfortably on the point towards a 1:00.2 half with Bacardi (Tony Beltrami), parked from the start, stalled on the rim towards the middle of the pack. Snowman Hanover (Peter Gerry) angled out of third in the backside to blitz Kilimanjaro NL to three-quarters in 1:30, but Keim’s charge repelled the challenge with ease and spun for home to hold firmly for the win by a half length.

Bacardi finished third but was disqualified to last after hooking wheels with odds-on favorite Don’t I Wish (William Clark Jr.) in the stretch as he tried to rally from a third-over trip. Hey Dude (Anthony Verruso) inherited third and Kountry Express (Geovany Hernandez) took fourth.

KILIMANJARO NL REPLAY

Jody Riedel trains Kilimanjaro NL for owner Super Mile LLC. The 9-year-old gelding by Conway Hall paid $31.20 to win.

Anthony Verruso found the winner’s circle a few races later when powering first up to score a mild upset with Remarkable De Vie in a 1:58.2 mile. Verruso lifted his charge from fourth after a :28.1 first quarter to march towards tempo-setter Aardiebythehill N (Robert Ciavardini) as the tempo slowed to a :58 half.

Remarkable De Vie advanced to within a neck of the leader to three-quarters in 1:27.3 and stayed at his throat all through the last turn before downing him in the lane and holding on for a neck victory.

Bruha (Cote Keim) rallied from a pocket trip for second while Aardiebythehill N settled for third and 9-5 favorite Certify (Michael Fiumenero) gave chase from a second-over trip for fourth.

Robert Ginsburg Jr. trains Remarkable De Vie for owner Chief Daddy Racing LLC. The 10-year-old gelding by Charlie De Vie paid $16.40 to win.

REMARKABLE DE VIE REPLAY

AHDC action resumes with trotting divisions at Pocono Downs next Saturday (Oct. 3). First-race post time is 1 p.m. (EDT).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC