Sheridan doubles up in Sunday AHDC action

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.— Yogi Sheridan bagged two harness racing wins from the three American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) events spread over two tracks on Sunday (June 8).

Sheridan won the lone $7,500 AHDC Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia in the afternoon with even-money chalk Farmers Beach (Sunshine Beach) in 1:55. Positioned off a speed duel between Phelgon (driven by Geovany Hernandez) and first-up Western Bayama (Frank Tsipouras), Sheridan waited in fourth through early fractions of :28 and :55.4 before lifting three wide off the pegs to swoop to control. Farmers Beach brushed forward through three-quarters in 1:25 to take command and then drew clear to a 4-1/2-length win over Western Bayama. Born Brilliant (Matt Zuccarello) rallied off a ground-saving trip for third and A Stud Named Same (Raymond Burt) took fourth.

FARMERS BEACH REPLAY

Dylan George trains Farmers Beach, a 4-year-old gelding by Sunshine Beach, for owner Gretchen Smith. He paid $4.20 to win.

For complete Harrah’s Philadelphia race results, click here: US Trotting results.

In the first $10,000 AHDC Trot division at Pocono Downs, Sheridan found the winner’s circle again with a near pillar-to-post win by Lionhead in 1:58.2. Sheridan circled Lionhead to the top after a :29 first quarter to grab the lead from 135-1 shot Keystone Thunder (Matt Zuccarello) and then withstood a first-over push from Game On Girls (Peter Stratton) to a :59 half. Lionhead cruised to three-quarters in 1:28.1 and held firm in the lane as Hunters Gal (Paul Minore) launched off cover with a late rally but settled for second, beaten a half length. Keystone Thunder finished another five lengths behind in third and 4-5 favorite Call Me Thefireman (Anthony Verruso) took fourth.

Terry Morgan owns and trains Lionhead, a 9-year-old gelding by Uncle Peter. He paid $4.60 to win.

Peter Stratton foiled Yogi Sheridan’s sweep of Sunday AHDC action when swooping home to grab the win in the second AHDC Trot with Resolute Bay in 1:57. Stratton landed in last to a :27.4 first quarter but swiftly advanced past breaker Mamy Wata (Paul Minore) and Landia (Raymond Burt) to race fifth to a :57.2 half. All the while Sheridan pushed along the rim with 1-2 favorite Town Victor and cleared command just after the half. He opened a two-length lead to three-quarters in 1:26.2 but spun for home on fumes. Stratton attacked with Resolute Bay and surged forward late to clinch the win by three-quarter lengths, leaving Town Victor in second. Pocket-sitter Gatsby (Steven Reisenweaver) took third and Big Nudge (Anthony Verruso) finished fourth.

Resolute Bay, a 6-year-old gelding by Resolve, is trained by Peter Stratton for owner Joseph M. Musser Trust. He paid $13.60 to win.

AHDC action continues next Sunday (June 15) with pacing divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia and trotting divisions at Pocono Downs. First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. (EDT) and 6 p.m. (EDT) at Pocono.

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

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC