Lionhead, Mr Kelly, Bank Sea win Philly AHDC events

CHESTER, Pa.— Yogi Sheridan led from pillar to post in the lone $9,900 harness racing division of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 5) – a card which also featured a pair of $9,900 AHDC Pace events won by Jacob Stillwell and Tony Beltrami.

In the trot, Sheridan sent favorite Lionhead (Uncle Peter) for the lead from post 5 to a :29.3 first quarter and faced little pressure through the remainder. He strolled to the half in :59.4 and went uncontested to three-quarters in 1:28.2. Pocket-sitter Winneress (driven by Anthony Verruso) launched an attack at the leader through the lane, though Lionhead held firm by a half-length to stop the clock in 1:58.3. Lindys Booze Cruz (Tony Beltrami) finished third and Southwind Frost (Bob Hechkoff), mounting a mild first-over bid past the half, took fourth. Terry Morgan owns and trains Lionhead, a 7-year-old gelding. He paid $4.20 to win.

LIONHEAD REPLAY

Jacob Stillwell followed similar front-stepping tactics to take the first division of the AHDC Pace with Mr Kelly (Rollwithitharry) in 1:55.2. Stillwell repelled a challenge from Tisadream N (Wyatt Long) to a :27.1 first quarter and grabbed a breather to a :57 half. He then withstood a pocket pop from Pet Shark (Eugene Robinson) to three-quarters in 1:25.4 before spurting clear by 3-1/4 lengths to secure victory. Uncle Coz (William Clark Jr.) took second with Pet Shark third and 9-5 favorite Atthebeach Hanover (Yogi Sheridan) fourth.

Paul Fusco trains Mr Kelly, a 6-year-old gelding, for owner ATA Racing LLC. He paid $6.40 to win.

MR KELLY REPLAY

Tony Beltrami brushed to the lead with Bank Sea (Art Major) in the second AHDC Pace and coasted to the finish of a 1:55.1 mile. Beltrami landed in third with Bank Sea while Jonah (Anthony Verruso) battled with Needless To Say (Frank Tsipouras) through a :27 first quarter. Needless To Say took back to sit in the pocket as Beltrami launched Bank Sea off the pegs to a :57 half and seized the lead up the backstretch. Bank Sea clicked past three-quarters in 1:25.3 and widened his lead through the lane to deliver as the 8-5 favorite by 3-1/4 lengths over Musical Box (Yogi Sheridan), who followed the winner’s brush to take second. Cole On The Beach (Kubi Erzene) took third and Seize Control (Eugene Robinson) took fourth.

Juan Cano conditions Bank Sea, a 10-year-old gelding, for owner Cano Racing Stable LLC. He paid $5.20 to win.

BANK SEA REPLAY

AHDC action continues this Saturday (Nov. 11) at Freehold Raceway with the ninth leg of the Fall Trotting Series, which continues through to the final on Dec. 31 at Harrah’s Philadelphia. First-race post time at Freehold Raceway is 12:30 p.m. (EDT).

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

by Ray Cotolo, for AHDC