Yonkers: Hickfromfrenchlick nets Sheppard title

Hickfromfrenchlick, named after Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird, powered away in the lane from second-over to win the $100,000 Lawrence B. Sheppard for rookie pacing colts on Saturday night at Yonkers Raceway in 1:55 4/5.

Starting from post two in the field of six, Hickfromfrenchlick (Mark MacDonald) wasn't the quickest away, but after Just Plain Loco (Jim Marohn Jr.) broke past the start and 4-5 choice World On Edge (George Brennan) jumped it off on the opening bend, he inherited a three-hole. The pace was set by 55-1 outsider Can We Dance (Greg Merton) as he made it to the top from post six and led to the quarter in 28 seconds and the half in 57 seconds.

Hurrikane Kingklee (Daniel Dube) looked like he might pop the pocket at the half, but he settled back in before making the move for good coming off the third turn, giving cover to Hickfromfrenchlick. Hurrikane Kingklee and Can We Dance were nose-and-nose for the lead at the 1:26 1/5 three-quarters, but they both stalled out on the far turn, and MacDonald fired Hickfromfrenchlick three-wide. Once shown the clear track, Hickfromfrenchlick surged by, and he paced away in the lane, winning by 3 1/4 lengths. Just Plain Loco overcame his early miscue to finish second, with Treasure Tom (Jason Bartlett) third.

"You never know with 2-year-olds on a half-mile track," joked MacDonald. "It got a little interesting at points. My horse kind of shied a little bit at the car, but Ray (Schnittker) trains at Goshen, so he's used to the turns. In the first turn horses were running, so I just kind of had to keep him in a clear path and stay out of trouble. He was really good. My horse felt so good in the last turn, I just moved him over. He was much the best then."

Schnittker also co-owns Hickfromfrenchlick, a colt by So Surreal, with Nolamaura Racing LLC. and Thomas Spatorico. Hickfromfrenchlick has won both of his career starts, and he has earned $57,150. Bred by Steve Jones, Hickfromfrenchlick was a $47,000 buy at the Goshen Yearling Sale. He is out of the Art Major mare My Girl's A Star (1:52 2/5, $155,245), a half-sister to Station Threeohsix (Western Terror, 1:52 1/5, $370,697). He was the 8-5 second choice and paid $5.30 to win.