Yogi Sheridan laid the gauntlet early with odds-on favourite J S Peyton and overpowered his seven rivals to claim the $9,000 division of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trot on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 18) at Freehold Raceway.

Call Me Thefireman (driven by Anthony Verruso) powered off the wings and to the cones into the first turn with All Rise (Joe Lee) and J S Peyton also barreling towards the top. All Rise pulled back into third with Sheridan forged J S Peyton to the lead before a :28.2 first quarter.

As the tempo slowed off the second turn, Lionhead (John Calabrese) pulled first over from sixth with Gruden (James Slendorn) following cover. But the pair only made slight gains to a 1:00 half, leaving J S Peyton with an uncontested lead.

Though J S Peyton only coasted toward three-quarters in 1:30, he held command confidently to the final turn and spun for home in hand while drawing away to a 2-1/2-length victory in 2:00.4. Call Me Thefireman settled for second with Finnick Odair (Melissa Arbia) rallying off a pylon trip for third and All Rise taking fourth.

Candace Brandstatter conditions J S Peyton, an eight-year-old gelding by Swan For All, for owner Mo Coo Inc. He paid $3.80 to win.

The AHDC returns to Freehold Raceway next Saturday (Feb. 25). First-race post time at Freehold is 12:30 p.m. (EST).

(AHDC)