Freehold, NJ — Newton “Yogi” Sheridan and Tony Beltrami survived on the lead to take their respective $9,000 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Freehold Raceway on Saturday afternoon (May 13).
Sheridan placed himself on the point with King Cast past a :29.3 first quarter to pocket even-money favorite Finnick Odair (driven by Tony Beltrami). My Big Kadillac (Mike Polansky) pulled first-over as King Cast cruised by a 1:00.2 half and he stayed at the pacesetter’s wheel to three-quarters in 1:30.2 before leveling off. King Cast began shortening stride in the lane while Finnick Odair dived inside and Cal Miles N Shell (John Calabrese) lunged down the center of the course. Fortunately for Sheridan, the line came in time to seal the victory by a neck in 2:01. Cal Miles N Shell took second with Finnick Odair settling for third and My Big Kadillac taking fourth.
Michael Posner owns and trains King Cast, a 9-year-old gelding by Current Cast. He paid $6.20 to win.
After failing from a pocket ride, Beltrami asserted his charge, All Rise, in the other division and cleared control after a :28.4 first quarter. All Rise led Brownie (James Slendorn) while Campbellini (Dante Scattolini) tried a first-over push to a :59 half. Campbellini began retreating up the backside, creating room for Lionhead (Yogi Sheridan) to pull off the pegs and challenge for the lead to three-quarters in 1:29.
All Rise held a two-length cushion rounding the final turn, though Lionhead loomed nearer as Sheridan sought a sweep of the afternoon’s divisions. Lionhead continued digging into All Rise through the stretch but “The Judge” held the head decision at the beam in a 1:59 mile. Vendor Bill (Maria De Bruijn) vaulted past horses to take third and Shoemaker Hanover (John Calabrese) took fourth.
Paul Fusco trains All Rise, a 6-year-old gelding by Conway Hall, for owner Tony Beltrami. He paid $14.40 to win.
AHDC action is slated to return to Freehold Raceway on Friday (May 19) with a division of the AHDC Pace. First race post time at Freehold is 12:30 p.m. (EDT).