Sheridan doubles up in AHDC events

CHESTER, Pa.— Driver Yogi Sheridan snagged two of the three $9,900 harness racing events for the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) on Sunday afternoon (June 25) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

In the lone trot, Sheridan swept Lionhead (Uncle Peter) to the lead after a :27.4 first quarter to pocket Drazzmatazz (driven by Frank Tsipouras) and rolled through the remainder. Lionhead led through middle fractions of :58.1 and 1:27.4 to turn away a mild first-over bid from Masster Blue (John Calabrese) and then repel the pocket pounce of Drazzmatazz through the lane to win by a half length in 1:57.4. Campbellini (Dante Scattolini) sat a pylon trip to take third and Masster Blue settled for fourth.

LIONHEAD REPLAY

Terry Morgan trains and owns Lionhead, a 7-year-old gelding by Uncle Peter. He paid $9.80 to win.

Sheridan later scored in the first of two $9,900 divisions of the AHDC Pace with Brushing Up (American Ideal) in 1:54.2.

The even-money favorite floated away fourth while Sporty Dragon (Raymond Burt) popped a :26.4 first quarter before yielding command to One Lucky Dude (James Slendorn) through a :56.2 half. Once action on the point cooled, Sheridan plied his attack along the rim and collared One Lucky Dude by three-quarters in 1:25. Brushing Up then swept clear to a two-length victory over One Lucky Dude with Smileandsaycheese (John Calabrese) closing for third and Johnny Q (Matt Zuccarello) taking fourth.

BRUSHING UP REPLAY

Izzy Estrada conditions Brushing Up, a 5-year-old gelding by American Ideal, for his Estrada Racing LLC. He paid $4 to win.

Dante Scattolini capped the 14-race card with a narrow victory in the other AHDC Pace behind Dont Get Shocked, who survived a first-over grind to win in 1:56.3.

Scattolini settled Dont Get Shocked behind Needless To Say (Frank Tsipouras) and Perseverant (Tony Beltrami), who swapped positions on the front through a :27.1 first quarter before slowing the tempo. Perseverant then braced for the bid from odds-on favorite Dont Get Shocked through a :57 half, and kept his opponent at bay to three-quarters in 1:26 until the pressure mounted too high. Dont Get Shocked grabbed the lead off the corner and then staved off the rally from second-over Brother James (John Calabrese) through the stretch to cross the line a quarter length to the good. A Stud Named Sam (Raymond Burt) rallied from last for third and Major Key (Matt Zuccarello) took fourth.

Jody Dunning trains Dont Get Shocked, a 5-year-old gelding by Ponder, for owners Cya In The Game Racing and Michael Mitchell. He paid $3.80 to win.

AHDC action will take a week off for the July 4^th holiday and return on Sunday, July 9 at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania. First-race post time at Pocono Downs is 6 p.m. (EDT).

For complete race results, click here.

by Ray Cotolo, for AHDC