Both Hillexotic and Pat Matters were very impressive in taking the two top trots conducted on the Thursday afternoon card at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

In the $12,800 feature for class climbing youngsters, the Muscle Hill sophomore gelding Hillexotic moved raw at the half and trotted his last half in :56.2 despite 39 days away from the races to win by 4-3/4 lengths in 1:55. Hillexotic, unraced at two, now has four wins in his last six outings and a $161,540 bankroll for trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer and Purple Haze Stables LLC.

In the $11,600 contest for fast-class trotters, the Explosive Matter mare Pat Matters also roared uncovered to the backstretch lead and won by 10-1/2 lengths, with her time of 1:52.3 only three-fifths of a second off the Philly divisional track record co-held by Hannelore Hanover and Arabellas Cadet. Dexter Dunn was in the sulky for trainer Nifty Norman as the fast distaff raised her earnings to $284,472 for the Patricia Stable.

Dexter Dunn and Tim Tetrick, 1-2 in the 2020 money winning drivers standings, each had a triple on the Thursday Philly card.

(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)