Slendorn, Solomon score in AHDC Trots
April 16, 2023,Freehold, NJ — James Slendorn hit the accelerator and Jim King Solomon swooped the field to take their respective $9,000 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 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 by CR Royal Flush, for owner James Slendorn. He paid $3.40 to win.
Jim King Solomon launched a stretch assault with Big Sky Ex to nab victory in the other division in 1:59.2.
Leaving from post six, 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 one-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 by CR Excalibur, for owner Domenico Costagliola. She paid $18.60 to win.
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).