Trotters working their way up the classification ladder were the featured performers at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 1, with two divisions going for $20,423 purses, as the southeast Pennsylvania track returned to live racing after a break over the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.

In one headliner, Im An Andover, a son of Andover Hall, was kept well off hot fractions (:27.1, :56) on the cold day, then moved uncovered for Tim Tetrick to approach favoured pacesetter Green Pastures by a 1:25.2 three-quarters. Im An Andover had a full tank of gas left when he challenged, took the lead turning for home, and went off to a three-length victory over Chef Rocco in 1:55.2, a new mark, and is undefeated in two starts under the care of Scott Di Domenico for owners Marie Dupont and Roy Dobbins.

In the other top trot, Purple Lord utilized the rail to force some tucks before yielding to the sophomore filly Sapphirerainstar to the :27.4 quarter, and then was moved by Corey Callahan to command past the stands and getting a breather to a :58 half. The Tactical Landing gelding then showed steady speed through and past a 1:26.2 three-quarters and withstood all contenders, winning by three-quarters of a length over the pocket-sitter in 1:55.3 for trainer John Butenschoen and the partnership of Harmony Oaks Racing Stable Inc., Berg Brothers Stable and Rich Preziotti.

There were two $17,606 paces for the fast-class set. In the quicker, Virgo continued to show sharp form since entering the care of Darren Taneyhill. On Sunday, the Always A Virgin gelding went right to the lead, rattled off splits of :27.3, :56.1 and 1:23.3 under the handling of Simon Allard, and couldn’t be caught in a 1:51.3 mile, finishing a length and a half ahead of pocket-sitting Wichita Lineman. Ownership of the class-rising winner of three straight is shared by Mark Jakubik and Jason Darling.

The other side-wheeling headliner also had the winner lead at every pole, as the American Ideal three-year-old gelding Seen Here put up fractions of :27.2, :56.1 and 1:24 before resisting a stubborn first-over challenge from Boardwalk Bet to win by a half length in 1:52.1. Tim Tetrick was the pilot behind the Jeff Cullipher trainee for Pollack Racing.

Tetrick was the driving force on the Sunday card, visiting Victory Lane six times. Fellow U.S. Hall Of Famer David Miller got home first four times, and each has 14 wins on the last four Philly programs during which they competed. 

Harrah’s Philly will be racing on Thursday and Friday at 12:25 p.m. and on Sunday at 12:40 p.m. for the next two weeks through Dec. 15.

(With files from PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)