USHDC action at Shenandoah Downs

Woodstock, VA…October 6, 2024…The United States Harness Drivers Club (USHDC) was back in action at Shenandoah Downs on Saturday (Oct. 5) and it was Adrian Wisher, Jr. and Dylan Fagan capturing their respective harness racing events.

Wisher was the first USHDC driver to reach the winner’s circle this day by piloting Ideal Perfect Ten (American Ideal) to a handy, three lengths win over Tipperary Hill, driven by Dr. Scott Woogen, in 1:57.3, while Concert Artist was another neck back in third for Brian Tomlinson.

Rollatown, the longest proposition in the field at nearly 50 to 1, was fourth for Michael Dailey after looking the leader in the eye turning for home. Pacific Stride, handled by Dylan Fagan, picked up the nickel.

Ideal Perfect Ten left the wings alertly taking command from post three with Rollatown leaving from post one and taking the garden seat. Ideal Perfect Ten put up a hot :27.2 number at the first station and then was joined in battle by Brooklynite with these two nostrils apart at the half in :56.2.

After putting that one away during the third panel, Rollatown found room to roam and joined the leader in the lane but Ideal Perfect Ten pulled away for the handy win.

Trained by John Wagner for owner Karen Wagner, the eight-year-old gelding won for the fourth time this semester to push his seasonal earnings to $26,202 and $177,328 lifetime.

As the 3 to 2 chalk, the winner paid $5.00 to his faithful.

For Wisher, it was his 10th success this year and 56th lifetime.

Dylan Fagan gave McNeil Z Tam (Sweet Lou) very heady handling as this seven-year-old gelding used a :28.4 final sprint home to score by four lengths over Hey Siri, driven by Stacey McLenaghan with Katana, recovering from a miscue leaving and far back, rallying to be third for Alexandra Golden.

Windemere Frank was next for Michael Dailey while Boondoggle, driven by Adrian Wisher, Jr., picked up the final award after cutting some serious fractions—:27.2, :57.2 and 1:27 along the way.

The winner was away fourth in his septet, pulled prior to the half way juncture rolled up on even terms with the leader and sprinted on by with his last quarter blitz to score as the 6 to 5 public choice and return a $4.40 mutuel.

Trained by Billy Carter for William Daggett, Jr., and Lawrence Vukovic, this was the first win of the season in eight starts this year for Mcneil Z Tam, vaulting his lifetime earnings to $138,278.

For the 29-year-old Fagan, who has driven very sparingly since his first venture in the bike in 2013, it was his second win this year and sixth trip to the winner’s circle lifetime.

The USHDC members donate 100% of their earnings from driving in their events for charitable distribution, which total over $325,000 since their inception.

Racing at Shenandoah Down continues through October 27.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by John Berry, for the USHDC