AHDC Trots to Pearly Allen and Yogi Sheridan

FREEHOLD, N.J.— Pearly Allen scored the spoils by way of disqualification and Yogi Sheridan delivered as the 5/2 favorite when each took their respective $9,000 harness racing divisions for the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Freehold Raceway on Saturday afternoon (April 13).

In the first division, Pearly Allen moved into first as the longest shot on the board to score the win in 2:03 behind 26-1 Pilsner Frosty (Six Pack). Allen launched her charge for the lead to a :30.1 first quarter and held firm on the lead to a 1:01 half. However, 9-5 favorite Hammer Creek (driven by James Slendorn) stayed on an extended break following the start and zipped up the inside of the pylons to grab the lead.

As Hammer Creek held a technical lead to three-quarters in 1:30.1 and spun for home while still on a gallop, Allen held a snug advantage while back in second. Hammer Creek crossed the line first nine lengths in front but was disqualified to seventh for violating the breaking rule. Pilsner Frosty collected the de facto pillar-to-post victory three lengths better than pocket-sitter Awol Hanover (Steven Reisenweaver). Spirit Of Success (John Calabrese) rallied off cover to take third and Archibald (Anthony Verruso) levelled off from a first-over push for fourth.

Taylor Gower trains Pilsner Frosty, a 3-year-old filly, for owner Paul Minore. He paid $54.20 to win.

PILSNER FROSTY REPLAY

Sheridan powered first over to the final turn in the second division to peel clear of his peers to an open length win with Dingle (Explosive Matter) in 2:01.1.

Getting away in the pocket to a :29.3 first quarter, Dingle sat cozily behind the embattled King Cast (James Slendorn) on the lead and La Magic (Tony Beltrami) left first over. The pair continued to trade blows to a 1:00.3 half until La Magic started to tire, opening the outer lane for Dingle to dash out of the pocket.

Dingle took over command past three-quarters in 1:31.1 and scooted away from the competition to cross the beam 5-1/2 lengths in front. My Big Kadillac (Mike Polansky) followed the winner’s move to grab second with Shoemaker Hanover (John Calabrese) advancing from cover to take third and Landia (Pearly Allen) rallying from last for fourth.

Tim Lancaster trains and co-owns Dingle, a 5-year-old mare, with Mark and Meghan Lancaster. She paid $7.60 to win.

DINGLE REPLAY

AHDC action resumes at Freehold Raceway next Saturday (April 20). First-race post time is 12:30 p.m. (EDT).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC