Sheridan, Hechkoff shine in Pocono AHDC Trots

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.— Yogi Sheridan fired to the lead and down the road while Bob Hechkoff pulled an upset off a pocket ride in their respective $10,000 harness racing divisions for the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trots at Pocono Downs on Saturday (Oct. 5).

In the first division, Sheridan cleared command out of post 8 with Bacardi (Southwind Frank) and kept rolling to post an open-length victory in 1:57.2. Once planting onto the point after a :28.4 first quarter, Bacardi cruised to a :58.2 half on a lead that quickly grew once Brownie (driven by Mike Polansky) broke stride from the pocket.

Bacardi soon found himself on a four length lead up the backstretch and strolled through the remainder of the mile, clocking three-quarters in 1:27.4 and striding over the line a four-length winner. Gatsby (Steven Reisenweaver) inherited the pocket spot and gave chase in second with Midnight Dreams (Joseph Skowyra) settling for third and Landia (Tony Beltrami), the 2-1 favorite, settling for fourth.

Julius Czermann Jr. trains Bacardi, a 6-year-old gelding, for owner Joseph Loprete. He paid $9.40 to win.

BACARDI REPLAY

Bob Hechkoff secured a pocket ride with 11-1 shot Dwight Hanover (Cantab Hall) and zipped from the cat-bird seat to a 1:55.3 win in the second AHDC division.

Dwight Hanover pushed forward for the front but relinquished control to 1-2 choice Quiksilvr Bluechip (Tony Beltrami) as he crossed from post 8 for the lead through a :27.3 first quarter. Quiksilvr Bluechip then dealt with first-over pressure from Candy Bomber (Tony Ciuffetelli) from a :56.4 half to three-quarters in 1:26.2.

Candy Bomber faltered through the turn while Quiksilvr Bluechip struggled to accelerate rounding for home. Dwight Hanover spurred into action with fresh legs to seize command and slide away to a two-length victory over Lionhead (Yogi Sheridan), who closed for second. Big Nudge (Anthony Verruso) rallied for third and Quiksilver Bluechip settled for fourth.

Frank Calcagni trains and co-owns Dwight Hanover, a 4-year-old gelding, with R. B. H. Ventures Inc. He paid $24 to win.

DWIGHT HANOVER REPLAY

AHDC action resumes at Pocono Downs next Saturday (Oct. 12) for the next leg of the club’s Fall Trotting Series. First-race post time is 1 p.m. (EDT).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC