The last two weeks Build The Wall may have given his backers some concern while slightly gapping just off the pace, but both weeks his backers cashed their tickets on him, as he again triumphed on Sunday afternoon at Harrah’s Philadelphia in 1:52.1.

Daniel Dube got away third with the Huntsville three-year-old gelding in the featured $18,750 conditioned pace as Tyson Hanover took over the lead from favoured Ishotthesheriff GB and set solid numbers of :27.1, :55.4 and 1:24.1. The “Sheriff” stayed tight on the leader and pulled the pocket late on the far turn, while Build The Wall lurked slightly (not tightly) just off them.

But Build The Wall, now eight-for-12 this year after being unraced at two, has a powerful last eighth in his arsenal, and Dube steered him up the inside and ran down Ishotthesheriff by a neck; the latter in turn won a photo over Tyson Hanover for second.

The winner is trained by Maria Reid for the ownership of Fusco Strong and Peter Fusco Racing. He has won three of his last four trips to the gate.

Driving doubles were recorded by Simon Allard, William Carter, Daniel Dube and Geovany Hernandez (in the American Harness Drivers Club amateur races). Trainers with a pair of winners included Mark Akins (both driven by Allard), Billy Carter (both driven by his son) and Josue Garcia.

Harrah’s Philadelphia will not have live harness racing on U.S. Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday. The next program at the riverside oval will be on Sunday, Dec. 1 (and will be drawn Monday morning).

(With files from PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)