Lionhead crushes AHDC final

CHESTER, Pa.— Yogi Sheridan took no prisoners in his coast-to-coast effort behind Lionhead (Uncle Peter) to win the $15,000 American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) harness racing championship on Sunday (Dec. 31) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

Leaving from post 5, Sheridan fired Lionhead for the front and grabbed onto the point with Awol Hanover (Steven Reisenweaver) leaving alongside to a :28 first quarter. Awol Hanover stayed at Lionhead’s throat through a :57.1 half before starting to tire into the backstretch.

Lionhead remained brave on the helm as the backfield circled the tiring Awol Hanover to three-quarters in 1:26.3, and few made any inroads on the gutsy leader through the final turn. Trump This (Neil Glasser) lunged off a pylon trip after the leader but only to grab second, beaten 1-1/2 lengths, in the 1:57.4 mile. All Rise (Tony Beltrami) sat a pocket trip to finish third and 9-5 favorite Shoemaker Hanover (John Calabrese) tried to come from off the speed but settled for fourth.

Dawn Anderson trains Lionhead, a 7-year-old gelding, for owner Terry Morgan. He paid $6.80 to win.

LIONHEAD REPLAY

Neil Glasser won the $9,900 AHDC Consolation behind Warrior Way (Muscle Mass) in a 2:00.3 mile. With odds-on favorite Empereurthebest FR (Yogi Sheridan) breaking stride at the start, Warrior Way found a seat in third while Fashion Cantab (Anthony Verruso) dashed for the lead to a :28.3 first quarter before shutting down the tempo to a 1:00.1 half.

Fashion Cantab began to accelerate up the backstretch as Glasser angled Warrior Way off the pegs and laid first-over siege on the leader to three-quarters in 1:29.4. Warrior Way forged to the lead off the final turn and then scooted away to a length victory. Brownie (Mike Polansky) kicked from a pocket ride to take second with Overnight Shipper (William Clark Jr.) closing for third and Fashion Cantab (Anthony Verruso) settling for fourth.

Joseph Eisenhower Sr. trains Warrior Way, an 8-year-old gelding, for owner Henry Ottinger. He paid $7.40 to win.

WARRIOR WAY REPLAY

AHDC action restarts in 2024 at Freehold Raceway with a trotting event scheduled for the Saturday (Jan. 6) card. First-race post time at Freehold is 12:30 p.m. (EST).

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

by Ray Cotolo, for AHDC