Yogi Sheridan powered Dandy Idea to the lead and delivered on his speed mission to take the $9,000 American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Pace on Friday afternoon (March 31) at Freehold Raceway.
Dandy Idea cleared command as Gaius Crastinus (Anthony Verruso) tucked into the pocket ahead of Ari Allstar (Paul Minore) to a :27.3 first quarter. Blue Ocean (Jacob Stillwell), parked from the start, advanced along the rim to press the pacesetter through a :56.4 half.
The long route proved taxing on Blue Ocean to three-quarters as he began losing ground while Dandy Idea stayed astute on the point past the third panel in 1:26.2. Dandy Idea rounded for home with long strides in the slowed final quarter to maintain a half-length advantage at the finish of a 1:57.4 mile while Prince Aston (John Calabrese) rallied from near last to take second. Ari Allstar finished third and Blue Ocean held fourth.
Sheridan trains Dandy Idea, a six-year-old mare by Mach Three, for owner Mykashemydiamonmyariel. She paid $11.80 to win.
AHDC action returns to Freehold Raceway on Saturday with two $9,000 divisions of the AHDC Trot, carded as Race 5 and Race 8 on the 12-race card. First-race post time at Freehold is 12:30 p.m. (EDT).
(AHDC)