Steven Reisenweaver held off a fierce stretch challenge, while Yogi Sheridan pounced off a perfect pocket trip to capture their respective $10,714 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Freehold Raceway on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Steven Reisenweaver secured a narrow victory in the first AHDC division with Awol Hanover, stopping the clock in 2:02.2. After landing in the pocket through a :29.2 opening quarter, Reisenweaver moved Awol Hanover off the pegs as the leader, Jaydens Place (Yogi Sheridan), slowed the pace to a 1:01.3 half. Awol Hanover drew alongside Jaydens Place down the backstretch and stayed on his heels past three-quarters in 1:32.1. As they turned for home, Jayden Pride clung to a fading lead, but Awol Hanover surged late to snatch the win by a nose.
He withstood a late charge from the 2-1 favourite, Im The Muscle (Joe Lee), who rallied from second over to settle for second. Jaydens Place finished third, while Classic Playter (Geovany Hernandez) took fourth.
Awol Hanover, a 10-year-old gelding by Donato Hanover - Angel Fire Hanover, is owned and trained by Steven Reisenweaver. He paid $6.60 to win.
Yogi Sheridan guided the 6-5 favourite, Kobe B, to victory in the second AHDC division, clocking a time of 2:01.1. Settling behind tempo-setter Jessies Outlawed (Pearly Allen), Kobe B cruised through fractions of :30.2, 1:01, and 1:30.3. As first-over challenger My Big Kadillac (Mike Polansky) faded off the final turn, Kobe B launched his attack, powering past Jessies Outlawed to win by a neck at the wire. Winneress (Anthony Verruso) closed strong to finish third, while Grafenberg (Tony Beltrami) rallied from last to take fourth.
Kobe B, a four-year-old gelding by Father Patrick - Classic Yankee, is trained by Richard Johnson for owner Robert Weinstein. He paid $4.60 to win.
AHDC action continues on Sunday, Dec. 15, at Harrah’s Philadelphia and Saturday, Dec. 21, at Freehold Raceway.
First-race post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. EST, with racing at Freehold starting at 12:30 p.m. EST.
(With files from AHDC)