Harrah’s Philadelphia welcomed three-year-old fillies going in $30,000 divisions of the Liberty Bell stakes series, two sections for trotters and three for pacers, and only one favourite lived up to the crowd’s backing in the five divisions, where in contrast there were two good-paying longshot winners.

The one chalk that came through did so by the smallest possible margin, with the Cantab Hall filly Evening Stroll attacking pacesetter Dazzling Reign much of the backstretch and the length of the stretch, just earning the decision in the shadow of the wire over the pacesetter in 1:54.4. Tim Tetrick, who led all drivers on the day with four successes, handled the six-time seasonal winner for trainer Jim Campbell and owners Tony Holmes and Walter Zent.

The other trot featured the longest-priced stakes winner of the day, the Donato Hanover filly Kommin On Strong ($72.00), who also won by the largest margin in any of the five stakes. Scott Zeron kept the filly away from breakers and duels in last, then found a clear path up the inside for her and she lived up to her name, trotting past everybody in a lifetime best clocking of 1:56. Dean Collins trains the winner for the partnership of D & G Racing Stable, Arnold Witkin and Claude Gendreau Stable Inc.

Lighting up the toteboard on the pacing side was Shezafreaklikeme, who paced raw in :27 down the backside to reach contention, then worked by the favoured pacesetter So Miki Hanover to win by a half-length while lowering her mark over five seconds to 1:51. The $29.00 surprise package, a daughter of Sweet Lou, was driven by Todd McCarthy for trainer Stacy Chiodo and her Chiodo Racing LLC.

Also successful in 1:51 was the Captaintreacherous filly High Minded, who also benefited from Todd McCarthy’s handling. Coming off a third in the final in the Kentucky program’s championship, High Minded moved to command early, then held a three-quarter length advantage over pocket-sitting Chase Lounge at the finish. Linda Toscano trains the winner of $206,237 for Camelot Stable Inc, Fred Wallace, The Bays Stable LLC and Steve Stewart.

Todd’s brother Andrew McCarthy drove the other pacing winner, the Always B Miki miss So Irresistible, who took a new mark of 1:51.1. Despite having to pace her back half in :54.2 uncovered, the sturdy miss got the job done by 1-1/4 lengths over Wicked Ways for trainer Bruce Saunders and owners Charles and Julie Nash.

Liberty Bell series stakes action will conclude for the year on Friday, with sophomore colts on both gaits going behind the gate. The one coming in with the biggest reputation will be the well-bred Whichwaytothebeach, coming off his fantastic 2-3 performance in the Little Brown Jug.

(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)