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

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 sulkysitters who have captured seventeen 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% 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 series for Pennsylvania-sired horses. 

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