On Saturday, Dec. 21, Seamus Quill and Jacob Stillwell achieved notable victories in their respective $7,500 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot at Freehold Raceway.
Quill secured a commanding win aboard Candy Bomber, the 8-5 favourite, in a race completed in 2:02.3. Starting strong from post 2, he set fractions of :31.1, 1:02.2, and 1:32.1 on the sloppy track, steadily extending his lead. By the final turn, Quill's lead over Hunters Gal, driven by William Clark Jr., had grown to three lengths. Candy Bomber crossed the finish line with a 5-1/4-length margin. I'm The Muscle, guided by Joe Lee, finished second after a strong rally, followed by Hunters Gal and Winneress, the latter saving ground under Anthony Verruso. Candy Bomber, a 4-year-old gelding by Tactical Landing, is trained by Ron Coyne Jr. for owner Jaypaul Hoover and paid $5.20 for the win.
In the other division, Stillwell piloted Exchequer to a 7-1 upset victory in 2:02.2. Positioned behind pacesetter All Rise, driven by Tony Beltrami, Stillwell capitalised on the open stretch in the homestretch. Exchequer surged past Classic Playter and All Rise, finishing a length ahead. Classic Playter claimed second, with All Rise and With A Warning rounding out the top four. Exchequer, a 7-year-old gelding by Cash Hall, is owned and trained by Vincent Ginsburg, paying $16.20 for the win.
The AHDC series continued Sunday, Dec. 22, at Harrah’s Philadelphia.