Abigail Dawn took an adventurous path to the winner's circle in the $11,600 featured distaff handicap on a soggy Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 11) at Harrah's Philadelphia.

Abigail Dawn took back to third after being out-sprinted early by Its Mesmerise N and favourite Baron Remy. The four-year-old Real Artist mare gapped for much of the next half mile, and when 18-1 shot Abuelita Hanover came up first-over, Dexter Dunn kept the Real Artist mare to the inside.

Despite her odds, Abuelita Hanover advanced past the pacesetting chalk past the five-eighths, with second-over Shezallapples A not keeping up. Dunn took this opportunity to slip outside late in the backstretch with Abigail Dawn, challenge Abuelita Hanover on the far turn, and prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:52.3 over a sloppy track. Crazy Cute rallied swiftly from last for third.

Chris Ryder trains 12-time winner Abigail Dawn for Shore Thing Stables LLC.

There were also two $11,200 co-features, one on each gait. On the pace, the Somebeachsomewhere sophomore filly Somewhere North raised her career record to 2-for-3 while lowering her mark to 1:55.3 for Dunn, trainer Nifty Norman, and the Pinske Stables. The trotters were fronted by another sophomore, the Lionhunter gelding Hunting AS, who won in 1:56.4 for trainer Jenny Melander and the partnership of Melander Racing Inc. and Robert Bernaski. Hunting AS was handled by David Miller, who led all drivers with three wins on the program.

(with files from PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)