Arrhythmic LLC's Thatswhatisaid N rode the pocket to a 26-1 upset in Sunday's (Nov. 29) featured event at Harrah's Philadelphia: a $14,400 top-level conditioned pace.
Thatswhatisaid N and driver Todd McCarthy floated forward from post 3 to secure the pocket behind 5-2 second choice Rockapelo, who controlled fractions of :26.2, :55.2 and 1:22.1. When even-money favourite Western Joe began to fade through the far turn after mounting a failed first-over bid up the backstretch, McCarthy found room to angle Thatswhatisaid N off the pegs and take aim at Rockapelo in the stretch. Thatswhatisaid measured Rockapelo well to take the lead with 40 yards to go and win by a widening three-quarter lengths in 1:50.2. Vettel N emerged belatedly to finish third, beaten two-and-three-quarter lengths.
Kevin Lare trains Thatswhatisaid N, a six-year-old Well Said gelding who has won three of his 13 starts since arriving in the United States this year. He paid $55.80 to win.
In the afternoon's finale, Chris Temming earned his first win as a driver, piloting Lisburn ($19.00) to a 1:52.4 score in a $5,600 first-level conditioned pace. As a trainer, the 30-year-old Temming has accounted for 170 wins and just over $2 million in purses since beginning his career in May 2013.
Racing returns to Harrah's Philadelphia on Wednesday (Dec. 2), with a 14-race program scheduled and a $5,097.89 carryover in the 20-cent Jackpot Hi-5. Post time is 12:25 p.m. (EST).
(Harrah's Philadelphia)