Sheridan wins two AHDC races

CHESTER, Pa.— Yogi Sheridan found the harness racing winner’s circle twice yet again in the last two $7,500 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Pace while Geovany Hernandez won the other division on Sunday (Sep 29) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

Sheridan started his late daily double sweep with a pillar-to-post job with Sand Sniper (Sand Shooter) in a 1:53.4 mile.

Once seizing the lead to a :27.4 first quarter, Sheridan did not relent with Sand Sniper and kept speeding as America’s Guest (driven by Tony Beltrami) tried to forge forward uncovered.

Sand Sniper clocked a :55.4 half and opened some air to three-quarters in 1:24.2 while America’s Guest floundered on the rim.

With sufficient cushion on the closers, Sand Sniper strolled over the line 3-1/2 lengths better than Sunshine’s Finest (William Clark Jr.) rallying from third over for second. Gentlemensattitude (Jacob Stillwell) closed from last for third and Caviart Skipper (Robert Ciavardini) finished fourth off a pocket ride.

SAND SNIPER REPLAY

Paul Roy trains Sand Sniper, an 8-year-old gelding, for owner Michael Nykun. He paid $4.20 to win.

Sheridan then vaulted first over off fast fractions to get Ship Wreck Beach K (Somebeachsomewhere) home first in the final AHDC division, timed in 1:54.2.

Away fifth out of post 8, Sheridan waited through a :27.4 first quarter cut by Master Miki (Geovany Hernandez), who soon relinquished the lead to pocket-popping Go West Go Fast (Frank Tsipouras) before a :55.4 half. The tempo softened in the move for the backside, prompting Sheridan to send his charge off the pylons and for the front. He loomed nearer to Go West Go Fast through three-quarters in 1:25.1 and kept fighting through the turn. Ship Wreck Beach K reengaged upon straightening and swooped to a length win over Master Miki. Go West Go Fast settled for third and National Sport (Bruce Baker) took fourth.

Izzy Estrada trains and owns Ship Wreck Beach K, a 6-year-old gelding, through his Estrada Racing LLC. He paid $7.20 to win.

SHIP WRECK BEACH REPLAY

In the first AHDC split, Geovany Hernandez grabbed the lead with 6-5 favorite Captain Terminator (Trueland Hanover) and never looked back in a 1:53.3 effort.

Meet The Creeper (Bruno Chiodo) took control to a :28.2 first quarter before yielding the top to Captain Terminator, who proceeded to never see a rival on the front. He strode to a :56.4 half and by three-quarters in 1:25 before facing a brief challenge from Meet The Creeper which he easily repelled to a 1-1/2 length win. Hurrikane Ironhead (James Slendorn) gave chase in third, another four lengths behind, and Transfer The Era (Jacob Stillwell) came from second over for fourth.

Geovany Hernandez owns and trains Captain Terminator, a 9-year-old gelding . He paid $4.60 to win.

AHDC action resumes on Saturday (Oct. 5) at Pocono Downs with the next leg of the club’s Fall Trotting Series. First-race post time at Pocono is 1 p.m. (EDT).

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

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC