Front-end rules in AHDC Trots

FREEHOLD, N.J.— Both $9,000 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (March 18) were taken in down-the-road harness racing speed jobs by both Tony Ciuffetelli and Yogi Sheridan.

In the first division. Ciuffetelli planted 8-5 favourite Trump This (Airzoom Lindy) on point after a :29.4 first quarter and cut the mile while King Cast (driven by Jacob Stillwell) raced parked after a failed attempt to grab the lead from post 8. As King Cast dropped anchor through a :59.3 half, Trump This coasted along uncontested and clicked three-quarters in 1:29.2 before braving for home.

Inukchuk Chuck (Joe Lee) launched a late bid after the leader but came a half a length short at the end of a 1:59.3 mile with pocket-sitter My Big Kadillac (Mike Polansky) taking third and Vendor Bill (Maria De Bruijn) travelling a wide route to grab fourth.

Tony Ciuffetelli trains Trump This, a seven-year-old gelding, for owners Joseph and Albert Ciuffetelli. He paid $5.40 to win.

TONY CIUFFETELLI / TRUMP THIS REPLAY

Yogi Sheridan took the top early with 8-5 favourite Drazzmatazz (RC Royalty) in the other division and stacked his competition to score a 1:59.4 victory.

Sheridan cleared control past a :29.1 first quarter from Finnick Odair (Melissa Arbia) while Southwind Frost (Bob Hechkoff) readied a first-over charge towards a 1:00 half. Shoemaker Hanover (John Calabrese) and Winneress (Anthony Verruso) tracked his challenge along the rim, though Drazzmatazz held his ground to three-quarters in 1:29.4 and all through the lane. Shoemaker Hanover kicked off cover to take second, beaten three-quarter lengths, from a stalled Southwind Frost and Winneress settled for fourth.

Terry Morgan conditions Drazzmatazz, a 10-year-old gelding, for owner Danbry Racing Inc. He paid $5.40 to win.

YOGI SHERIDAN / DRAZZMATAZZ REPLAY

AHDC action returns to Freehold Raceway next Saturday (March 25). First-race post time is 12:30 p.m. (EDT). The AHDC will also be adding a weekly pacing division to its series starting Friday (March 24), which will run every Friday at Freehold through Memorial Day.

For complete race results, click here.

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC