A pair of $16,000 races shared the spotlight with trainer Nick Surick on a dank Friday afternoon (Aug. 23) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

In the featured event for female pacers, the sophomore Captaintreacherous filly Tarryn A Strip had no difficulties in taking her first U.S. start, negotiating the course rated “good” in 1:54.1. Joe Bongiorno, holding hot driving hands as of late, let the import take her time before making the lead in front of the stands, and no one would get close enough to her to threaten as she recorded her fifth triumph in nine starts this year. Joe’s sister Jennifer Bongiorno trains the promising sophomore for Glenview Livestock LTD and Cheryl Cherry.

In the trotting headliner, the Yankee Glide gelding Amador got an early forward position, was reserved off a contested pace, then came up the inside under the guidance of Jeff Gregory to post a 1:58 victory, his fifth of the campaign. Joseph King is the winning owner and trainer.

Among the horsemen, trainer Nick Surick was the biggest winner of the day, harnessing four successful charges. Each of them used the front end -- often considered a good place to be on an off track -- and each of them was driven by a horseman with the initials “A. M.”: Andrew McCarthy (twice), Anthony Morgan, and Andy Miller. Surick is currently second in the trainers’ standings at Harrah’s Philadelphia behind Gilbert Garcia-Owen.

(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)