Sheridan doubles up in AHDC action

CHESTER, Pa.— Yogi Sheridan scored a double with a narrow victory and a romp in the pair of $8,500 harness racing divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Oct. 18).

Sheridan swooped to snag the first division with even-money favorite Lincoln Boulevard in a 1:56.3 mile. Taking back to the middle of the pack, Sheridan landed in a golden seat fifth as Blossom (driven by Jacob Fox) battled with outside challenger Crunch The Numbers (Matt Zuccarello) through a :27 first quarter and :56.1 half. Uncle Coz (William Clark Jr.) angled outside to sit second-over while Sheridan slotted into a third-over position.

Crunch The Numbers wavered heading up the backside, prompting Uncle Coz to spring off cover with Lincoln Boulevard following suit. Uncle Coz looped to match strides with Blossom passing three-quarters in 1:26 while Sheridan continued a three-wide assault with Lincoln Boulevard through the last turn. Lincoln Boulevard persisted in the lane and held his ground for a head victory as pocket-sitting Ea Mushu (Joe Lee) kicked late but settled for second. Uncle Coz held third and Hold My Tiara (Anthony Verruso) closed for fourth.

LINCOLN BOULEVARD REPLAY

Julius Czermann Jr. trains Lincoln Boulevard for owner Joseph Loprete. The 8-year-old stallion by Sportswriter-Trama Unit paid $4 to win.

National Sport completed the daily double sweep for Sheridan with a confident 1:53.3 score as the even-money chalk. Sheridan seized the lead out of post 5 smoothly to a :28.2 first quarter and peeled clear of his rivals through middle splits of :56.2 and 1:24.2 in progress to a 6-1/2-length win. Watch U R Back (Joe Lee) pushed uncovered into the last turn to snag second from Sunshine’s Finest (William Clark Jr.) in third. Duck Into The Nite (Paul Minore) closed from a second-over trip for fourth.

Yogi Sheridan owns and trains National Sport, a 9-year-old gelding by Sportswriter-Rockin Beauty. He paid $4 to win.

AHDC action resumes with trotting divisions scheduled at Pocono Downs for Saturday (Oct. 24) and pacing divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia for Sunday (Oct. 25). First-race post time at Pocono is 1 p.m. (EDT) and 12:40 p.m. at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

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

by Ray Cotolo, for AHDC