Sheridan, Longo take Philly AHDC paces

CHESTER, Pa.— Yogi Sheridan and Charles Longo both reached for the line in time to snag victories in their respective $7,500 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Sept. 14).

Sheridan pushed first over and prevailed with 3-2 second choice Rose Run Astro in the first AHDC Pace. Leaving from post 8, Sheridan landed in sixth as Grateful Kiss (driven by Frank Tsipouras) launched for the lead to a :28.2 first quarter. Tsipouras slowed the tempo to a :58.2 half, prompting Sheridan to pull outside and charge up the rim to challenge for the lead. Rose Run Astro engaged with Grateful Kiss in a backside sprint to three-quarters in 1:26.1 and remained embroiled in battle through the last turn and in the homestretch. Grateful Kiss clung to the lead until the closing strides, where Rose Run Astro inched by to score a quarter-length win in a 1:54.4 mile. Phelgon (Geovany Hernandez), the 7-5 favorite, gave chase off a pocket trip for third and Pack Your Bags (Bruce Baker) finished fourth.

RUN ROSE ASTRO REPLAY

Izzy Estrada trains Rose Run Astro, a 3-year-old gelding by Mcwicked, for owner Estrada Racing LLC. He paid $5 to win.

Charles Longo later lifted off a second-over ride for a narrow win with Try Line in the second AHDC Pace.

Longo perched onto cover after a :27.3 first quarter, tracking Drinkin Again (Pearly Allen) as he parked behind an early pace battle. Ferdinand A (William Harrison) stubbornly held the lead against first-over Fred’s Night (Philip Kozak) into a :55.4 half before caving into the backstretch, leaving Fred’s Night to take the lead. Drinkin Again then pushed uncovered on the outside with Try Line in tow to take a narrow lead passing three-quarters in 1:24.4. Longo edged off cover through the turn and downed Drinkin Again in the homestretch while holding firm against a late rush from Shore Of Himself (Yogi Sheridan) to register a quarter-length win in 1:54.2. Shore Of Himself settled for second with Drinkin Again taking third and Big Bad Bill (Bruce Baker) closing from last for fourth.

TRY LINE REPLAY

Michael Polhemus trains Try Line, a 7-year-old gelding by Betting Line, for owner Jennifer Depietro. He paid $10.20 to win.

AHDC action continues with trotting divisions next Saturday (Sept. 20) at Pocono Downs and pacing divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Sept. 21). First-race post time at Pocono is 1 p.m. (EDT) and 12:40 p.m. (EDT) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

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

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC