Vagabond horseman Seamus Quill popped and pounced with trotting mare Feeriedesbrouets FR in her North American debut while Yogi Sheridan rallied late and in time with series regular Lionhead to win their respective $10,417 divisions for the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) at Freehold Raceway on Saturday, Nov. 9.

Quill, hailing from Ireland and having raced in four different countries in the last three years, scored a 2:02.3 win in the first AHDC division behind Feeriedesbrouets FR (shown above). Away fourth through a :30 first quarter, Quill pulled his charge and marched after 3-2 favourite Call Me Thefireman (Anthony Verruso) into a 1:02.2 half, but tucked into a hole as All Rise (Tony Beltrami) gapped from the pocket and got shuffled into third. Feeriedesbrouets FR tracked the leader intently through three-quarters in 1:31.3 and lifted with ease in the stretch to slide away to a 1-1/4-length victory at the line. Masster Blue (John Calabrese) lasted through a first-over trip to finish third, another four lengths behind, and Awol Hanover (Steven Reisenweaver) closed for fourth.

Quill owns and trains Feeriedesbrouets FR, a nine-year-old mare by Vanishing Point. She paid $13.20 to win.

Sheridan kicked from off the speed and landed on the line first with Lionhead in the second AHDC division, stopping the clock in 2:02.3. Shoemaker Hanover (John Calabrese) cleared command past a :29.2 first quarter while Sheridan, leaving from post six, settled Lionhead into sixth. Challenges slowly brewed into a 1:00.2 half with My Big Kadillac (Mike Polansky) pulling from the pylons in last to roll uncovered after the leader. My Big Kadillac loomed to Shoemaker Hanover’s wheel moving to three-quarters in 1:31.2, and Sheridan took the opportunity to snatch a second-over seat to the far turn. He fanned Lionhead off cover coming for home and kept plugging to collar Shoemaker Hanover at the end by three-quarter lengths. My Big Kadillac settled for third and Pilsner Frosty (Paul Minore) finished fourth.

Terry Morgan owns and trains Lionhead, an eight-year-old gelding by Uncle Peter. He paid $13.40 to win.

AHDC action continues with pacing divisions at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday, Nov. 10 and the next leg of the club’s fall trotting series at Freehold Raceway next Saturday, Nov. 16. First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. and at Freehold is 12:30 p.m. 

(With files from AHDC)