On a special Friday night card of racing at Harrah’s Philadelphia, the Shadow Play mare Skippin By was used hard to get the early lead, but she showed in the last quarter she had ample energy in reserve, taking the $18,000 featured pace for distaffs in 1:50.1.

Skippin By was hustled out of the gate by driver George Napolitano, Jr., as both Monica Gallagher and Hold It Hanover also left the switch with alacrity. After “Hold It” backed off and tucked in third, Skippin By pressed her case and got the lead after working to the quarter in :27. But after mid-splits of :55.3 and 1:23, Skippin By powered off from her rivals with a :27.1 kicker, winning by 2-3/4 lengths over Monica Gallagher and raising her lifetime tally to $868,409 for trainer Nick Surick and Cornerstone Stock Farm.

The eight-year-old mare Regil Elektra recorded her 48th lifetime victory, sending her earnings to $1,073,923, with a victory in 1:52.1, last half :55.3, in the $14,500 distaff pace co-feature. Driver Tony Morgan moved from the pocket with the victorious daughter of Mach Three in front of the stands, getting around early leader Future Headlines easily, then dashed home from there to be a 1-1/2 length winner over that rival for trainer Keith Armer and the Fred Monteleone Estate. Regil Elektra was also the fifth in a consecutive line of horses who paid $6.00 or less – without being the favourite!

Harrah’s will pick up the action again on Sunday at 2:05 p.m., with a $25,000 winners-over pace for females heading a strong card (that might complement the Futurity Day card at Lexington nicely for simulcast fans). There will also be a special live offering of racing on Columbus Day Monday at 12:25 p.m., with over $200,000 on the line for John Simpson, Sr. stakes series three-year-old colts of both gaits.

(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)