Meridian Farms-bred Pappy Go Go has now recorded two of the three fastest miles in North American harness racing this year, as the product of the Prince Edward Island breeding industry trotted to a dominant victory during Thursday afternoon (April 25) action south of the border.

Pappy Go Go demolished a field by six and three-quarter lengths on Thursday at Harrah’s Philadelphia in the track’s $18,000 trotting feature.

Pilot George Napolitano Jr. held early position with ‘Pappy’ from Post 4 as the three foes to his inside left from the gate. Napolitano then pulled his trotter out just before the :27.4 quarter pole. Golden Son had moved from the pocket just in front of the duo, which caused Napolitano to briefly tip Pappy Go Go three-wide. From there, Napolitano and Pappy Go Go circled to the lead as they entered ‘turn two,’ prior to the :56 half-mile pole.

Pappy Go Go had a full head of steam down the backstretch and reached the three-quarters marker in 1:24. Pappy did not slow down in the lane and went on to equal the 1:52 win time that he had posted over The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on March 30.

The 1:52 clocking is just a fifth of a second slower than Insomniac’s 1:51.4 performance over Miami Valley Raceway on April 5. Andrew Harris trains the impressive winner, who now has 28 career wins and $155,517 in purse earnings for Michael Goldberg Racing.

Pappy Go Go, pictured during his March 30, 2019 victory at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

If you have missed the back story on Pappy Go Go, it is a great one. He was bred by William Andrew of Alberta, which is not a noted haven for trotters. Pappy Go Go is a five-year-old gelding by the Prince Edward Island-based stallion Tad The Stud (whose second-fastest son has a mark of 1:57.2). Pappy Go Go sold for $4,000 at a yearling sale in Nova Scotia. Thirteen of Pappy’s 28 career wins were recorded during an undefeated sophomore stakes campaign in the Maritimes. Based off of his twin 1:52 wins, it looks as though Pappy Go Go could soon be facing an elite brand of competition.

Harrah’s Philadelphia will conduct its first nighttime card of 2019 on Friday evening (April 26). First-race post time will be at 6:30 p.m. The Jackpot Hi-5 carryover heading into Race 5 currently sits at $11,972.22.

Harrah's Philly will also conduct Friday evening cards on May 17, September 6 and October 4. There is an upcoming alteration to the normal Philly schedule, as there will be a special program of live racing on Kentucky Derby Day (Saturday, May 4), which will see Harrah’s Philly’s first race head to post at 12:40 p.m.

(With files from PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)