Keppler, Calabrese victorious in AHDC Trots

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.— Scott Keppler and John Calabrese bagged harness racing victories in the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trots at Pocono Downs on Saturday (Oct. 18) while Geovany Hernandez landed a win in the lone dash for the AHDC Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Oct. 19) in another busy weekend for the club.

Keppler romped in the first $10,000 AHDC Trot division with Get Some Cash (Cash Hall) in a 1:56.2 mile. After getting away third from the pylon post, Keppler sat behind fractions of :28.1 and :57.2 cut by Mamy Wata (driven by Paul Minore) before lifting into action with a first-over blitz. Get Some Cash overhauled Mamy Wata through three-quarters in 1:26.4 and scampered away in the stretch to a five-length victory. Barn Credit (Anthony Verruso) rallied for second while Mamy Wata settled for third and Party At Seven (Tony Beltrami), the 8-5 favorite, checked in fourth.

GET SOME CASH REPLAY

Joe Pavia Jr. trains Get Some Cash, a 6-year-old Cash Hall gelding, for owner Scott Keppler. He paid $6 to win.

John Calabrese later won another AHDC dash with his homebred Cal Miles N Shell, this time as the odds-on favorite in a 1:55.4 mile. Calabrese cut a clip of :28, :57.2 and 1:25.3 under first-over pressure from Snowman Hanover (Vanessa Karlewicz) and remained strong on the lead once that rivaled tired to the final turn. Cal Miles N Shell held his ground all through the stretch to cross the line a head winner over J-s Hopscotch (Tony Beltrami), who rallied off a pylon trip for second. Psalmsfortysixfive (Scott Keppler) gave chase from the pocket in third and Velociraptor (Bob Krivelin) closed for fourth.

CAT MILES N SHELL REPLAY

A 5-year-old gelding by Trixton, Cal Miles N Shell is trained by John Calabrese and races for his Calabrese Farms LLC. He paid $3.40 to win.

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

One day later, Geovany Hernandez pounced off a pocket trip with 6-5 favorite Master Miki to take the single $7,500 AHDC Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia in a 1:56.4 mile. Hernandez perched his charge behind 3-2 second choice Shore Of Himself (Yogi Sheridan) as he rolled on the lead through splits of :27, :57.2 and 1:26.1. Master Miki lifted from the pocket spinning for home and zipped past Shore Of Himself with ease while also withstanding a pair of furious late rallies to clinch victory by a head. Try Line (Charles Longo) soared from the backfield for second with Iammrbrightside N (Anthony Verruso) also rallying to take third. Shore Of Himself gave way and finished fourth.

MASTER MIKI REPLAY

Geovany Hernandez owns and trains Master Miki, a 7-year-old gelding by Always B Miki. He paid $4.60 to win.

For complete Harrah’s Philadelphia race results, click here: US Trotting results.

AHDC action continues next week with trotting divisions at Pocono Downs on Saturday (Oct. 25) and pacing divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Oct. 26). First-race post time at Pocono Downs is 1 p.m. (EDT) and 12:40 p.m. (EDT) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC