Slendorn, Solomon take AHDC Trots

FREEHOLD, N.J.— James Slendorn hit the accelerator and Jim King Solomon swooped the field to take their respective $9,000 harness racing divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trots at Freehold Raceway on Saturday afternoon (April 15).

In the first division, James Slendorn pushed from the pylons with odds-on choice Willy Walton (CR Royal Flush) and kept all his peers behind. Posting a :28.1 first quarter, he pocketed King Cast (driven by Jacob Stillwell) and snagged a breather to a :58 half.

With the tempo slowed, Lionhead (Yogi Sheridan) pulled first over with Shoemaker Hanover (John Calabrese) following cover, but Willy Walton slipped away to three-quarters in 1:27.1 and widened for home. Willy Walton crossed the beam five lengths in front at the end of a 1:56.4 mile with Lionhead taking second, Shoemaker Hanover securing third and Winneress (Anthony Verruso) closing for fourth.

Chris Height conditions Willy Walton, a 9-year-old gelding, for owner James Slendorn. He paid $3.40 to win.

WILLY WALTON / JAMES SLENDHORN REPLAY

Jim King Solomon launched a stretch assault with Big Sky Ex (CR Excalibur) to nab victory in the other division in 1:59.2.

Leaving from post 6, Big Sky Ex floated away seventh while Finnick Odair (Melissa Arbia) powered to lead to a :29.2 first quarter. Turbochargedpete (Joe Faraldo) raced parked in midfield and progressed uncovered along the rim to apply minor pressure to the pacesetter through a 1:00.3 half while also supplying cover to Big Sky Ex.

The wide trip began wearing on Turbochargedpete up the backside as he stalled first over, forcing Solomon to launch Big Sky Ex three wide to three-quarters, timed in 1:30.2. Big Sky Ex gathered momentum and barreled into the stretch to snag the lead from Finnick Odair and extend to a length win with Midnight Cookie (Paul Minore) another four lengths behind in third and CHF Merodona (Jacob Stillwell) faltering off a pocket trip to finish fourth.

Dennis Watson conditions Big Sky Ex, a 7-year-old mare, for owner Domenico Costagliola. She paid $18.60 to win.

BIG SKY EX / JIM KING SOLOMON REPLAY

AHDC action returns to Freehold Raceway on Friday (April 21) with divisions for the AHDC Pace. First-race post time at Freehold is 12:30 p.m. (EDT).

In the 10^th race $12,000 Preferred-Handicap Pace, race favorite Saranac Blue Chip (American Ideal) and driver Austin Siegelman led from start to finish, winning by one length in 1:53.

Striking Impact (Vinnie Ginsburg) was first-over from before the half mile and hung in to finish second with Baron Michael (Jacob Cutting) third.

It was the third win this season for the five-year-old gelding. Saranac Blue Chip is trained by Dan Morrissey and is owned by Leona Morrissey. He paid $5.00 to win.

SARANAC BLUE CHIP REPLAY

For complete race results, click here.

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC