by John Manzi for the American Harness Drivers Club
Philadelphia, Pa.-- The adage of "when you're hot you're hot" can certainly be said of Jonathan Ahle after he won all three $9000 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club's trots today at Harrah's Philadelphia.
Race winners, Lionhead and Drazzmatazz, were sent off as the betting favorites in the first two trots while TSM Photo Bugger,--a 15 year old altered son of S J's Photo-- was second choice in the third contest.
In the first AHDC event Ahle sent the even money favorite, Lionhead, to the lead from the five-hole and they proceeded to make every pole a winning one en route to an oh-so-easy five length victory in 1:58.1. Caviar Star finished second for Paul Minore and Tony Verruso took home the show dough with Call Me Thefireman.
Lionhead, 6-year old Uncle Peter gelding, is owned and trained by Terry Morgan. He paid $4.00 for the win.
Drazzmatazz, also from the Terry Morgan barn, grabbed the lead at the quarter pole in 28 seconds and Ahle kept the pedal to the metal and they zipped by the half in :56.4 with Volare and driver Tony Beltrami in hot pursuit. They then raced one-two by the three quarters in 1:26.4 and were side by side when they headed for home but as they approached the finish line Drazzmatazz began to draw off and he went on to a one-length victory in 1:57.3. Volare finished second and Winneress (Tony Verruso) finished third.
Owned by Danbry Racing, Drazzmatazz paid $3.80 for the win.
And Ahle wasn't done for in the third AHDC event he sent the 15-year-old TSM Photo Bugger to the lead in :28.1 and the wily veteran trotted through fractions of :58 and 1:26.4 while being chased by Tony Verruso with the 1-2 favorite, Big Nudge. But the aged veteran shook off his competitor and went on to a 6-length triumph in 1:55.4. Big Nudge was second best and Worldsstonecold As (Tony Beltrami) garnered the show dough.
