Mad Max Hanover used front-stepping tactics to score in dominating fashion in the Sunday, Oct. 13 feature at Harrah's Philadelphia.

Following up a runner-up finish in his last outing, driver George Napolitano Jr. moved the Always B Miki gelding after the quarter to the lead in the $17,808 featured pace and was a handy winner in 1:51.1. Mad Max Hanover, a five-year-old who is trained by Jake Leamon for owner Marvin Rounick, was a multiple stakes winner in his youth and second in the Governor’s Cup at two and the Meadowlands Pace at three and sports a career bankroll of more than three-quarters of a million dollars. 

The driving victory behind Mad Max Hanover was one of two on the day for George Napolitano Jr., a figure matched by Tim Tetrick, leaving Napolitano with a 117-115 lead in the meetlong standings, which figures to be a protracted duel between the pair of sulky-sitters who have captured 17 straight Harrah’s win titles between them.

Another driving doubler, Corey Callahan, sent the Nutcracker Sweet sophomore gelding Pineapple Crunch to a 1:53 lifetime best on the engine in the $16,438 co-feature. Team Cancelliere -- trainer Tom and owner John -- have had a 36 per cent win rate lately, and they had two more successes today.

Trainer Jeff Cullipher also had a double, as did amateur driver Ray Burt. Both of Burt’s successes came in the AHDC events, including last race winner Gemini Express at $55.80, making him one of three horses to pay over $50 on the card: Dont Get Shocked ($60.60) and Pretty Ricki ($57.40) also caused the tote board to exert extra power. Three Superfectas, including two in the first trio of races, were uncovered and produced carryovers, as did the Pick 3 that ended with Gemini Express’s success; that carryover will go over to the seventh race Pick 3 on the next local racing card.

Racing this coming week will be conducted on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 12:40 p.m. Both cards will feature races in the Liberty Bell Stakes for Pennsylvania-sired horses. 

(With files from the PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)