Sheridan and Beltrami dominate Philly AHDC paces

CHESTER, Pa.— Yogi Sheridan again scored a pair of harness racing wins while Tony Beltrami slid to upend a third Sheridan victory in the three $7,500 divisions for the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Sep 22).

Sheridan powered to a narrow win in the first AHDC division with Select Friday in a 1:53.1 mile.

Landing in fourth out of post 8, Select Friday (Rockin Image) followed speed cut by the battling Master Miki (driven by Geovany Hernandez) and Sunshine’s Finest (William Clark Jr.) in the death seat. The pair powered through a :26.1 first quarter and continued speeding towards a :54 half, where Sunshine’s Finest began backtracking from the fierce duel. Master Miki meanwhile maintained speed to three-quarters in 1:22.4 and opened his lead as rivals stalled through the final turn as Sheridan sent Select Friday forward out of fourth.

Select Friday charged down the stretch to cut a four-length deficit to a quarter-length victory at the beam over Master Miki. America’s Guest (Tony Beltrami), the 5-2 favorite, closed for third and I’m Talkin Hungry (Anthony Verruso) finished fourth.

Donald Maiorano trains Select Friday, a 6-year-old gelding by Rockin Image, for owner Chad Colasanti. He paid $12 to win.

SELECT FRIDAY REPLAY

Sheridan later won in the final AHDC division by surviving a parked mile with 4-5 favorite Ship Wreck Beach K (Somebeachsomewhere) and winning in 1:53.

Left first over through a :27.2 first quarter, Sheridan steadily marched forward with Ship Wreck Beach K as Bionic (Michael Shults) led the field to a :56.3 half and through three-quarters in 1:24.1. Ship Wreck Beach K continued advancing and loomed to match strides with Bionic spinning for home before putting that rival away and scurrying clear to a two-length win chased by Its Showtime (Anthony Verruso), who followed the winner’s cover for second.

Bionic finished third via placing and pocket-sitter Saulsbrook Raptor (John Calabrese) finished fourth through an interference disqualification.

SHIP WRECK BEACH K REPLAY

Izzy Estrada trains Ship Wreck Beach K, a 6-year-old gelding by Somebeachsomewhere, for his Estrada Racing LLC. He paid $3.60 to win.

Tony Beltrami handed Yogi Sheridan and 2-5 favorite Sand Sniper a narrow loss in the middle AHDC split as he got Lachie Maguire N (Bettor’s Delight) over the line first in 1:54.3.

Beltrami sat a ground-saving trip with Lachie Maguire N from third while Sand Sniper carved fractions of :27.4, :56.2 and 1:25 on an uncontested lead. Come go time in the stretch, Sand Sniper dug in and fought back against pocket-pouncer Wilsons Vinner (Raymond Burt), but Lachie Maguire N came rolling late and collared Sand Sniper at the line by a neck.

Wilsons Vinner settled for third while Paprike Blue Chip (William Clark Jr.) finished fourth another four lengths behind.

LACHIE MAGUIRE N REPLAY

Michaela Hemmes trains and co-owns Lachie Maguire N, a 14-year-old gelding by Bettor’s Delight, with Ultra Championship Racing LLC and Justin Sodano. He paid $15 to win.

AHDC action continues with trotting divisions on Saturday (Sept. 28) at Freehold Raceway and with pacing divisions scheduled at Harrah’s Philadelphia for Sunday (Sept. 29). First-race post time at Freehold is 12:30 p.m. (EDT) and 12:40 p.m. at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

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

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC