Pocket-sitting Rivers went to the proverbial passing lane in the stretch and caught pace-setting favourite The Fast Lane to win the $18,056 fast-class handicap feature on “Trottin’ Thursday” at Harrah’s Philadelphia in 1:54.4.

The winning Anders Bluestone gelding, trained by Shaun Callahan for Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, went to the lead early on the first turn under the direction of Corey Callahan, then yielded to The Fast Lane towards the :28.2 quarter and was content to stay in the golden chair through middle fractions of :58.1 and 1:26.2 with little outer flow to speak of.

Rivers didn’t even have to go to the inside path turning for home as The Fast Lane bore out, and the winner used his energy to gain into a :28.2 last quarter. The Fast Lane held for second,  1-1/4 lengths back, with double millionaire Crystal Fashion coming from far back for third, ending his three-race win streak.

Also on the card featuring diagonally-gaited horses were two $16,667 co-features for younger horses.

The Six Park three-year-old filly Six Inch Heels moved behind cover down the backstretch, gained wide through the final turn, and proved to have the most late in a career best 1:55.4 for driver Troy Beyer, trainer Christopher Freck, and owners James Magno and Marita Berglund. The horse initially proving cover to the winner was heavy favourite Walla, who had many misadventures: getting rough mid-first turn after a delayed leave, recovering and going up towards the front when jumping with a circuit to go, again hitting stride, spending the rest of the trip uncovered and even making the lead in early stretch before Six Inch Heels beat her out by 1-1/4 lengths.

Walla is trained by Nancy Takter, and so is Devastate, and fortunately for the latter’s connections his 1:53.3 victory was as easy and trouble-free as his stablemate’s was unlucky. Devastate, a Chapter Seven colt, powered to the front, reeled off fast numbers while clear much of the way, and won by four lengths, living up to his name for driver Tim Tetrick and Diamond Creek Racing and missing the time with which he won a qualifier by only a fifth.

Corey Callahan, David Miller, and Tim Tetrick each had three victories on the Thursday card.

Square Deal, a winner in half of her 18 starts this season, has been made the early favourite for Friday’s $14,000 USD fast-class distaff handicap pacing feature; several hard-hitting younger females will clash in a $13,500 USD contest that will be the first event on the 12:25 program. On Saturday, harness fans can watch and wager on the Meadowlands’ big Hambletonian card, many of whose participants have competed at Philly during this season, taking the action at the track or through its wagering system. Free Philly programs are or will be available at the PHHA website.

(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)