The high-priced claiming pacers took center stage at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Friday afternoon, Sept. 6, with Imaginary Line surviving being three-deep during most of a :26 opener to take the $16,216 handicap feature in 1:50.4.

It was Frontier Rollo, the favourite, who stung the Betting Line gelding Imaginary Line early, but after the blistering opener and a :55.1 half, it was “Rollo” who found it hard to match steps with the winner, who put up a three-quarters clocking of 1:22.4 and was not threatened in a 1-1/4-length triumph over the chalk. Ridge Warren continued to have hot hands in the sulky, piloting Imaginary Line for trainer Chuck Crissman Jr. and owner Rodney Long.

In the $15,541 co-featured claiming handicap, the Bettors Delight gelding Rough Odds, noted for many exciting closing victories recently, changed tactics as he reunited with trainer/owner Mark Akins. The pacer used starting from the rail to work out a two-hole trip for driver Simon Allard, then held off first-over Kount Blaster by a head in 1:52.4 in a race where the first six were separated only by a length.

In a $14,865 event just slightly below the top two, the Sweet Lou gelding Stonebridge Karis parked Nota Republica A through a hard opener then sat on his back, and in the stretch came up the inside to beat that foe by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:51. Tony Morgan worked out the good trip for Stonebridge Karis for trainer Darren Taneyhill and owner Mark Jakubik.

Philly had two races where a few people collected a great deal of money, as two horses sent off at 50-1 or more got home first, both of them maiden pacers. The first bomber was Lovetheparty, whose $178.20 return on a $2 win bet was only 60 cents below the seasonal high, and gave driver Patrick Ryder his meet-high third winner of $50-plus. In another contest, George Napolitano Jr. got Loot away quickly and thus missed trouble that affected the back half of the field, then rallied from the pocket to return $103.60.

Five driving doubles were rung up on the Friday card by: Simon Allard, Troy Beyer, Tony Morgan, George Napolitano Jr. and Ridge Warren.

During Sunday’s 12:40 p.m. card, Harrah’s Philadelphia will host the $320,000 USD Stallion Series Championships for all eight stakes combinations of age, sex and gait. These races are designed to give good earning opportunities just a little below the demanding Sire Stakes competition, often serving as a springboard for them to future racing heights. There will also be a carryover of $3,122.27 into the fifth race Pick 5 wager.

(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)