Clark doubles in AHDC Paces

CHESTER, Pa.— William Clark Jr. snagged two of the three $8,500 harness racing divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 2).

Clark pulled a 14-1 upset in the first division when delivering Paprike Blue Chip to a 1:54.3 victory. Leaving from post 7, Paprike Blue Chip planted into fourth as 2-1 favorite Ea Mushu (driven by James Slendorn) endured a challenge from second choice My Wish Came True (Yogi Sheridan) into a :27.3 first quarter. My Wish Came True overtook Ea Mushu heading to a :56 half, at which point Clark readied a backside blitz with his charge for the lead. Paprike Blue Chip successfully rushed up to grab command from My Wish Came True before three-quarters in 1:25 and strode comfortably through the remainder to secure a 2-1/2-length victory with Ea Mushu rallying for second. Fred’s Night (Matt Zuccarello) sustained a first-over push through the last turn for third and Enough Sun (Geovany Hernandez) closed for fourth.

PAPRIKE BLUE CHIP REPLAY

William Clark Jr. owns and trains Paprike Blue Chip, an 11-year-old gelding by Roll With Joe. He paid $30 to win.

Sunshine’s Finest bookended Clark’s double on the day with a narrow 1:54.4 win in the last of three AHDC Pace divisions. Clark secured a seat in third as Lyons Liberty (James Slendorn) sped to the top in a :26.3 first quarter and faced minimal pressure towards a :56.3 half. Race favorite Swing Vision (William Harrison) mounted a first-over bid out of fifth up the backstretch but only made mild progress while Lyons Liberty coasted to three-quarters in 1:25.2. Pocket-sitter Shezafreaklikeme vacated his seat to attack the leader into the stretch, giving Sunshine’s Finest a golden seam to barrel through and collar the leader at the beam by a nose. Lyons Liberty settled for second with Baron Michael (Yogi Sheridan) closing for third and Swing Vision taking fourth.

William Clark Jr. trains Sunshine’s Finest, a 10-year-old gelding by Sunshine Beach, for owner Mary Cuerbo. He paid $8.40 to win.

Geovany Hernandez won the other AHDC Pace on the card with 6-5 favorite Rough Odds in a 1:54 mile. Hernandez tipped out of third after a :27.1 first quarter to press 3-2 second choice Gumbell (Yogi Sheridan) for the lead, and the two dueled through a :56.1 half and 1:24.4 three-quarters until Gumbell relented into the last turn. Rough Odds spurted away while spinning for home and strolled to the finish a 2-3/4-length winner over Lincoln Boulevard (James Slendorn), who rallied from third over for second. Herrickroosevelt N closed from second over for third and Cash Back (Matt Zuccarello) took fourth.

Marc Mosher trains Rough Odds, a 12-year-old gelding by Bettor’s Delight, for owner Joseph Riad. He paid $4.40 to win.

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

by Ray Cotolo, for the AHDC