Yogi Sheridan scores AHDC wins at two tracks

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.— Yogi Sheridan bagged a double in American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) events on Sunday (Aug. 4), winning a harness racing pacing division in the afternoon at Harrah’s Philadelphia and firing up the highway to score in a trotting division at Pocono Downs that night.

Sheridan romped in the second AHDC pacing division at Harrah’s Philadelphia, decimating his competition with 1-9 shot Finally Friday (Tellitlikeitis) in 1:52.3. Finally Friday darted for the point out of post 8 and cleared command before a :27.2 first quarter and scooted away from his competition. Past a :56.1 half, Finally Friday widened his lead and clicked past three-quarters in 1:24.1 with a five-length advantage that only grew in the last quarter.

Finally Friday crossed the beam 9-3/4 lengths better than Jumping Jake (driven by Pearly Allen), who gave futile chase to hold second. America’s Guest (Tony Beltrami) finished third, another three lengths behind, and Firstup (James Slendorn) finished fourth.

Dean Eckley owns and trains Finally Friday, a 4-year-old gelding who paid $2.20 to win.

FINALLY FRIDAY REPLAY

In the opening division of the AHDC Trot at Pocono Downs, Sheridan converted a pocket ride with 6-5 favorite Its A Horse (Full Count) to land a narrow win in 1:57.1. Its A Horse followed the trail of Dingle (John Calabrese), who carved a mostly uncontested clip of :27.3, :57 and 1:26.2.

Once spinning for home, Sheridan lifted Its A Horse into action and grabbed the lead in the lane while withstanding the late push from Dwight Hanover (Bob Hechkoff) to win by a neck. Dingle held third, beaten two lengths, and Winneress (Anthony Verruso) finished fourth.

Peter Pellegrino trains Its A Horse, an 11-year-old gelding, for owner Room4040 LLC Stables. He paid $4.40 to win.

ITS A HORSE REPLAY

Tony Beltrami won the other AHDC Pace division at Harrah’s Philadelphia with Select Friday (Rockin Image), who brushed and proceeded to crush in 1:55.4. Beltrami circled Select Friday to the lead through a :27.4 first quarter and overtook the point from Tony N Rock (Yogi Sheridan) moving for the half.

Select Friday then gradually scampered away from his competition through a :57.1 half and 1:26.2 three-quarters to cross the line with a 5-1/2-length winning margin. Pretty Ricky (Frank Tsipouras), the 7-5 favorite, rallied from third over for second with Wilsons Vinner (Raymond Burt) sustaining a first-over push for third and Fred’s Night (Matt Zuccarello) saving ground for fourth.

Donald Maiorano trains Select Friday, a 6-year-old gelding by Rockin Image, for owner Chad Colasanti. He paid $5.20 to win.

SELECT FRIDAY REPLAY

The second division of the AHDC Trot came down to a stewards’ decision, with Shoemaker Hanover (Cantab Hall) and driver John Calabrese ascending to first via disqualification for interference.

Lady’s Image (Neil Glasser) led most of the mile, clocking a :28.1 first quarter and then receiving first-over pressure from Jive Ninety Five (Yogi Sheridan) through a :59.4 half and 1:29.1 three-quarters. As those two sparred on the lead around the final turn, Im The Muscle (Anthony Verruso) angled from second over to race three wide, carrying Shoemaker Hanover (John Calabrese) four wide turning for home.

Im The Muscle then crossed the line a head better than Shoemaker Hanovebut,  the far-turn interference placed Shoemaker Hanover first over Im The Muscle. Jive Ninetok thirdy Five tor while Lady’s Image faded to fourth.

John Calabrese trains Shoemaker Hanover, an 11-year-old stallion, for his Calabrese Farms LLC and Michelle Rickey. He paid $17.60 to win.

SHOEMAKER HANOVER REPLAY

AHDC action continues both at Harrah’s Philadelphia with divisions on the pace and at Pocono Downs with divisions on the trot. First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. (EDT) and 6 p.m. at Pocono Downs.

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC