Trotting action, usually the hallmark of “Trottin’ Thursdays” at Harrah’s Philadelphia, carried over to the Friday action, with three $16,000 contests gathering good fields of developing horses.

First to the feature race winner’s circle was the Credit Winner sophomore filly Aperfectruby, who made the most of a cover trip, rushing three-deep on the turn and closing to catch T Barrr by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.3. George Napolitano Jr. was in the sulky for trainer Anette Lorentzson, who conditions the winner for ACL Stuteri AB and Kjell Johansson.

The Dejarmbro sophomore gelding Tropical Splash AS made an early move to control the pace, then came home two lengths to the good for driver Tim Tetrick in 1:57.1 to take the second feature. The Scott Di Domenico trainee is owned by Triple D Stables Inc. and RBH Ventures Inc.

The final feature went to another horse conditioned by Di Domenico, the Swan For All sophomore gelding Swansea, who cleared up the inside from the pocket and had the most length to be two lengths clear at the end of the 1:55.3 mile. Tony Morgan guided the winner, a winner of three of his last four, giving Triple D Stables Inc. a second feature winner; this one they co-own with Dana Parham.

Also worthy of mention is the freshman full sister to Pinkman, Im All Pink, who is now perfect in two career starts for driver Josert Fonseca. She was extended by longshot Trixar before prevailing in 1:59.4 in her debut for trainer Nancy Johansson after father Jimmy Takter entrusted her with care of the horse.

Probably the most exciting race of the day was the featured pace, a $12,500 contest for distaffs. Prairie Sweetheart went to the lead, got to the half in :55.4, and then met the challenge of favoured Frost Damage Blues. Neither mare gave an inch through a :26.3 third quarter and around the turn; it was only late that the Western Ideal mare Frost Damage Blues was able to get clear of her stubborn rival, winning by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:52 for owner/driver Bill Augustine and trainer Symon Spicer.

The early part of the Friday card was spiced up by a pair of 33-1 shots tallying within the first four races. Both With Presence ($69.80) and Chips Starr ($68) made strong late moves to give their scattered backers some nice holiday money to spend as they pleased.

The evergreen champion Foiled Again makes one of the final stops on his Farewell Tour here at Philly on Sunday, where he will be the 8-5 favourite in a field of five in the seventh race for driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Ron Burke. And while no harness horse can say they have earned $7,624,018 (U.S.), there are also very, very few of them who can say they are returning to a track where they first raced 4,135 days ago. Foiled Again made his first start at then Harrah’s Chester on July 15, 2007 – and he comes back to make his last rounds 11 years, 4 months, and 25 days after his first.

(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)