Sheridan sweeps AHDC divisions

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.— Yogi Sheridan collected wins in every American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) event on Sunday (May 4), winning both $7,500 divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia before firing up the highway to win the sole $10,000 dash at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Sheridan opened the Sunday card at Harrah’s Philadelphia with a 1:54.2 romp by 1-5 shot Classifiedmaterial (Bettor’s Delight). Once clearing the lead to a :27.2 first quarter, Sheridan rated Classifiedmaterial through middle fractions of :56.4 and 1:25 before kicking clear by 4-1/4 lengths from pocket-chaser Pacing Major N (driven by Neil Glasser) in second. Western Bayama (Frank Tsipouras) followed in third while Phelgon (Geovany Hernandez) rallied from last for fourth.

CLASSIFIED MATERIAL REPLAY

Britney Dillon owns and trains Classifiedmaterial, a 9-year-old gelding by Bettor’s Delight. He paid $2.60 to win.

A few races later, Sheridan stayed aggressive with 3-5 chalk Aussie Scooter A (Mach Three) to win the second AHDC Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia in 1:53.1. Aussie Scooter A took the lead to a :27.2 first quarter before yielding for a brief pocket tuck to pressing Six Feet Apart (Neil Glasser), but Sheridan swiftly circled Aussie Scooter A back to the point through a :56.3 half. He opened his lead up the backside, clocking by three-quarters in 1:24.3, and widened his advantage more in the stretch to cross the beam a four-length winner. Master Miki (Geovany Hernandez) grabbed second from Six Feet Apart, who finished another four lengths behind in third. Born Brilliant (Jacob Stillwell) finished fourth.

Dean Eckley trains Aussie Scooter A, an 8-year-old gelding by Mach Three, for owner Martin Valentic. He paid $3.20 to win.

AUSSIE SCOOTER A REPLAY

Eckley and Sheridan teamed heading north to win the AHDC Trot at Pocono with 4-5 favorite Mr Contestant in a 1:57 mile. Sheridan got an easy lead out of post 7 to a :28.2 first quarter and gradually peeled away from the field through middle sectionals of :57.3 and 1:26.4. Mr Contestant strolled for the finish to post a 5-1/4-length win over rallying Hunters Gal (Frank Tsipouras) while Town Victor (Michael Fiumenero) took third via disqualification of Gatsby (Steven Reisenweaver), whose interference at the start – to Town Victor – placed him fourth.

William Hartt owns Mr Contestant, a 10-year-old gelding by Winning Mister. He paid $3.60 to win.

AHDC action continues next Sunday (May 11) with pacing events at Harrah’s Philadelphia and divisions of the club’s Summer Trotting Series at Pocono Downs. First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. (EDT) and 6 p.m. (EDT) at Pocono Downs.

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

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC