Hernandez, Sheridan win AHDC paces

CHESTER, Pa.— Geovany Hernandez and Yogi Sheridan both delivered favorites to the harness racing winner’s circle in their respective $7,500 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Aug. 24).

CLASSIC REPLAY

Hernandez won the first division with 6-5 chalk Classic in a 1:55.1 mile. After sitting third while Remember The Beach (driven by Raymond Burt) cut fractions of :27 and :55.3, Hernandez lunged forward with Classic to grab the lead up the backstretch before three-quarters in 1:25. Classic maintained his momentum to the finish to post a 1-1/2-length win over Grateful Kiss (Frank Tsipouras), who sat a pocket trip for second. Stolen Art (Yogi Sheridan) closed for third and Redding Hanover (John Calabrese) rallied for fourth.

Geovany Hernandez owns and trains Classic, a 9-year-old gelding by Sweet Lou. He paid $4.40 to win.

Yogi Sheridan surged from a stalking trip with 2-5 favorite Sunshine’s Finest to win the second AHDC Pace in a 1:55.4 mile.

Sheridan drafted behind pacesetter Pearl Harbour N (Bruce Baker) to a :27.3 first quarter and watched as Never Easy Z Tam (John Calabrese) mounted a first-over challenge into a :57 half. Never Easy Z Tam stayed engaged in battle with Pearl Harbour N to three-quarters in 1:25.1 and all through the turn while Sunshine’s Finest waited for racing room. Sunshine’s Finest fired in the stretch once given racetrack and clinched a head win, staving off a rally from last by Phelgon (Geovany Hernandez). Never Easy Z Tam took third and Big Bad Bill (Anthony Verruso) came from a second-over trip for fourth.

SUNSHINE’S FINEST REPLAY

William Clark Jr. trains and co-owns Sunshine’s Finest, a 9-year-old gelding by Sunshine Beach, with Mary Cuerbo. He paid $2.80 to win.

AHDC action continues next Sunday (Aug. 31) with pacing divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia and trotting divisions at Pocono Downs. First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. (EDT) and 6 p.m. (EDT) at Pocono.

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

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC