Chester, PA – Yogi Sheridan and Michael Shults both charged from off the speed and reached for the line in time to nab victories in their respective $7,500 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) paces at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Nov. 30).
Sheridan scored in the first AHDC pace with 6-5 favorite Bluebird Crush in a 1:56.1 mile. After landing in fourth through a :27 first quarter from the pylon post, Sheridan sat while pacesetter Lew Hauber (driven by Geovany Hernandez) battled first-over Drinkin Again (Frank Tsipouras). The pair sparred to the half in :57.2 and to three-quarters in 1:25.2, at which point Sheridan lifted Bluebird Crush into action. Bluebird Crush narrowed on the embroiled duo spinning for home and extended for the finish to notch a slim win by a head. A Stud Named Sam (Raymond Burt) rallied from off the winner’s back for second while Drinkin Again took third and Lew Hauber finished fourth.
Izzy Estrada trains Bluebird Crush, a 4-year-old mare by Captain Crunch, for owner Estrada Racing LLC. She paid $4.40 to win.
Michael Shults later pounced from third over for a 1:55.4 victory with 5-2 second-choice Revolver N in the other AHDC pace. Shults laid back near last while Thndrfrmthethron N (Tony Beltrami) and odds-on favorite Better Than Some (Geovany Hernandez) dueled for the lead through fractions of :27.1 and :56.1. He angled Revolver N off the pylons nearing the half and rode cover to three-quarters in 1:25 as Thndrfrmthethron N attempted to scurry away from the field. But the leader’s sudden three-length lead diminished turning for home as Better Than Some pushed persistently to the outside and Shults launched Revolver N into top gear. Revolver N rolled forward and snatched the win by three-quarter lengths from Better Than Some while Thndrfrmthethron N settled for third and Lenda Hand Man (Matt Zuccarello) closed off a ground-saving trip for fourth.
Michael Shults trains Revolver N, an 11-year-old gelding by Auckland Reactor N, for owner Blazer One Racing. He paid $7.20 to win.
AHDC action continues at Harrah’s Philadelphia next Sunday (Dec. 7) with pacing and trotting divisions scheduled. First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. (EST).