A pair of 16,667 races, one on each gait, for horses looking to climb the classification ladder were featured at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Friday, May 9 over a surface that was rated “sloppy” most of the afternoon.

The pacing feature was for distaffs and it was won in front-stepping fashion by the Huntsville sophomore filly, Shes A Streaker, who equalled her 1:52 lifetime mark she set winning a Home Grown event at The Meadowlands last fall. Verity Blue Chip (Brad Chisholm) reluctantly accepted the pocket nearing the quarter and stayed second the rest of the way, finishing 2-3/4 lengths behind the winner, who was driven by David Miller.  Ron Burke trains the victorious miss for Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, Frank Baldachino and J&T Silva - Purnel & Libby.

 In the trotting feature, four-year-old Bold Eagle gelding Modigliani S, who has had a win, a third and a fourth so far this year despite an early break in each of the first and last races, had perfect manners today and went uncovered from mid-stretch to win and reduce his mark to 1:55.4 for driver Andrew McCarthy, trainer Nifty Norman and owner Lella Montgomery. Favoured Bay Breeze Hanover (David Miller), who tucked early then moved in the wake of the flow of the winner, was second, a length behind Modigliani S and a neck ahead of pacesetting Santa Cristina (Tyler Miller).

 Meet leader George Napolitano Jr. added to his cushion at the top by bringing home three winners, most of all the drivers on the 14-race card.

The two top paces on Philly’s Sunday card at 12:40 p.m. are a $13,500 USD contest for horses on the rise and a $13,000 USD event for the fast-class set. “Super Sunday,” with three $100,000 USD Invitationals and Pennsylvania-sired action for the three-year-old pacing males, is set for two weeks from this Sunday, May 26. 

(PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)