Yonkers: Summer Side scores in Sheppard

Even-money choice Summer Side and trainer-driver Ray Schnittker avoided a host of breakers and easily captured the $100,000 Lawrence B. Sheppard for 2-year-old colt pacers on Saturday night in 1:55 3/5.

Summer Side, who started from post six, was involved early with rail starter Southwind Diablo (George Brennan) and Hurrikane Kingkong (Dan Dube), who had left out from the outside post eight. Summer Side would reach the quarter first in 27 1/5, then released Hurrikane Kingkong while Southwind Diablo went off-stride.

Hurrikane Kingkong would go on to click off a 57 second half, but Chip Walther (Jason Bartlett) attacked first-over, and he would surge to the front prior to the 1:25 4/5 three-quarters. That sent Schnittker back to the outside out of third to take up the chase.

On the final bend Chip Walther made a break as well while on a clear lead, and he was guided into the safety lane. That left Summer Side and Hurrikane Kingkong to battle it out, but Summer Side put him away early in the lane and went on to win by three lengths. Hurrikane Kingkong held second and Joe's Bid (Jordan Stratton) was moved up from fourth to third after original third-place finisher Rollin About (Brent Holland) was moved back to fourth for causing interference near three-quarters.

"He's been really good," said Schnittker. "I actually had him in the 2-year-olds in training sale six weeks ago, and I had a reserve of $80,000. I almost actually sold him, but it looks like I made the right move now."

Schnittker also co-owns Summer Side, a Well Said colt, with Howard Taylor. It was the first win from three starts for Summer Side, who was purchased for $15,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale. He's out of the Jenna's Beach Boy mare Beachy Lady, making him a half-brother to Cabana Fever (Real Desire, $472,466) and Wicked Little Minx (Rocknroll Hanover, $228,101). Summer Side returned $4.30 to win.