The card at Harrah’s Philadelphia for Sunday was pushed back a day to Monday because of the high heat index, but Seeing Eye Single didn’t let the day’s delay bother him at all, closing for a 1:51.1 victory in the $18,000 pacing feature.

The Dragon Again gelding tucked in third early for driver Corey Callahan, then was able to get outside again as Statement Made A made a powerful uncovered move to get by pacesetting favourite Mister Ohanzee A, with Winona Sizzler A and Seeing Eye Single in the clearing one’s wake. The winner kicked n strongly in the last 1/8 and was along by a half-length over Statement Made A, with Winona Sizzler A another neck back in third. Ron Burke trains Seeing Eye Single, a winner of $391,096, for the partnership of Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, J&T Silva – Purnel & Libby, and Lawrence Karr.

Driver Pat Lachance scored the 2000th win of his sulky career in the second race, going wire-to-wire from post eight with Mikes Z Tam in 1:50.2. The 44-year-old Lachance, son of Hall of Famer Mike Lachance, is one of the thinning breed known as “trainer/drivers,” as he also has over 1500 victories as a conditioner; he trains Mikes Z Tam as well. Pat is also one of the few drivers to win his very first purse start, with Running Horse at Windsor in October of 1995.

There was also a pair of $15,000 claiming handicap paces. In the first, Rockin Rio and driver Joe Bongiorno sat a pocket trip behind favoured Catch My Shadow, then overpowered that one in the lane to win by 4-3/4 lengths in 1:51.3. The Rockin Image gelding is now three for four since hooking up with trainer Darren Taneyhill and owner Tessa Roland.

In the other split, Bobbies Power Play moved outside from the two-hole and was able to overhaul favoured Palomar by 1-1/4 lengths in a 1:52.1 clocking. The Rustler Hanover gelding, a career earner of $230,737, was making his debut after a claim for owner/trainer Mark Kesmodel, who has more UTR titles at Philly all-time than any other conditioner with three.

Blood Line paced a second consecutive 1:50 mile at Philly in taking a $12,500 pace for driver Andrew McCarthy, trainer Per Engblom, and Diamond Creek Racing. The son of Somebeachsomewhere streaked a :26.2 third quarter to open up a huge lead and won for fun while raising his earnings to $413,508.

(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)