The Credit Winner gelding Credit Con, already a six-figure earner in 2024, added to his sizable bankroll by winning the featured $17,808 fast-class handicap trot on Thursday afternoon, May 16 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

Jack Pelling hustled the Jenn Bongiorno trainee out of the gate first, then yielded to sit on the back of Herodotus through fractions of :27.3, :55.4 and 1:24.2. Credit Con was itching to go on the far turn and Pelling pulled him outside, then easily overtook his front-stepping rival to win in 1:53.1, 1-3/4 lengths clear on the wire. The winner of $149,879 already this season and $611,465 lifetime is owned by Ben Modello.

The $15,069 fast-class sub-feature handicap trot went to Sinatra De Vie, minding his manners after some recent breaking issues to post a 1:53.3 triumph. Jonathan Ahle sent the Southwind Frank gelding up uncovered after the evergreen JL Cruze, who took over after a :27.2 opener then put up midsplits of :56.1 and 1:25.2, and Sinatra De Vie outtrotted the leader to the wire by 1-1/4 lengths for trainer-owner Eric Foster. 

Other sub-1:55 winners on the “Trottin’ Thursday” card were Eurobond (1:53.3) and The Gruffalo (1:54.4).

David Miller won four races on the afternoon to send his local win total to 23, one behind co-leaders Todd McCarthy and Tim Tetrick. Two of Miller’s winners came for trainer Per Engblom, who now tops the conditioners ranks with 12 successes. 

Friday's 12:25 p.m. card at Philly is topped by a $12,000 USD distaff pace set to go as the 12th race. Sunday's 12:40 p.m. Philly presentation has three interesting pacing entrants: two are world champion Ruthless Hanover (1:46.3f here at the end of last May) and Twin B Joe Fresh, the iron-tough millionaire mare, both making their campaign debuts. The third is the fastest horse at the young Philly meet by virtue of his 1:49.1 win in a maiden event: Total Stranger, a full brother to champion Tall Dark Stranger.

(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)