Stillwell stuns in AHDC upset

Chester, PA — Jacob Stillwell sustained speed from H T Three to land a 13-1 score in the lone $9,900 American Harness Drivers Club Pace, one of three AHDC events on the Sunday afternoon (July 16) card at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

Leaving from post five, Stillwell planted H T Three on the lead to a :28.2 first quarter with Gaius Crastinus (Joe Lee) in the pocket. With no challengers in the mirror, Stillwell snagged a breather to a :59 half, which prompted Somwherenbrookln N (Yogi Sheridan) to blitz along the rim with 1-9 favorite The Downtown Bus (Anthony Verruso) in tow.

The soft front half let Stillwell go full throttle up the backside to three-quarters in 1:26.4 and dispose of Somwherenbrookln N and The Downtown Bus to the final turn. He then survived on the lead as 54-1 shot Sporty Dragon (Raymond Burt) came barreling into action late but finished a neck short of victory. My Wish Came True (Frank Tsipouras) closed for third.

Allie Reynolds trains H T Three, a 4-year-old gelding by Mr Wiggles, for owner Howard Slotoroff. He paid $29 to win.

John Calabrese catapulted from well off the speed to deliver as the odds-on choice in the first of two $9,900 AHDC Trots in 1:58.

Calabrese settled seventh with Newell Place as Brownie (Mike Polansky) led to a :28.2 first quarter and soon endured first-over pressure from Drazzmatazz (Tsipouras) with a circuit to go. Drazzmatazz continued pestering Brownie through a :57.2 half and 1:27 three-quarters as the backfield sprung to life towards the final turn.

Newell Place came wide and seized command off the bottom corner from late-leader Big Sky Ex (Sheridan) to claim victory by a half-length. Smart As Hill (James Slendorn) closed from last for third.

Calabrese trains and owns Newell Place, a 4-year-old Andover Hall mare, through his Calabrese Farms LLC. She paid $3.40 to win.

Speed held in the other $9,900 AHDC Trot when Slendorn went coast to coast in rein to Sheena Soldier in 1:56.1.

Launching from post six, Sheena Soldier secured command to a :28 first quarter and strolled to a :57.3 half before encountering any challenge. Real Mccoy (Dante Scattolini) came charging uncovered along the rim and drew alongside Sheena Soldier by three-quarters in 1:26.3, but Sheena Soldier repelled the challenger and scooted clear to a two-length win. Pocket-sitter Bang Bang Boinga (Sheridan) took second from Real Mccoy in third.

Chris Height conditions Sheena Soldier, a 6-year-old gelding by Father Patrick, for owner Slendorn. He paid $6.80 to win.

AHDC action continues next Sunday (July 23) with another preliminary for the club’s summer series at Harrah’s Philadelphia. First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:45 p.m. (EDT).

Back to Top

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap