Chef Rocco posted a 11-1 upset in the $19,444 featured conditioned trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia on “Trottin’ Thursday”, May 15.

The five outer horses wanted a part of the early action after the inside trio did not get away well. Chef Rocco was first to the lead for driver Toddy McCarthy, putting Im An Andover (Don Dupont) in behind him, then eventually yielding to Blockchain (David Miller) who disdained a tuck and pressed on to command after a :27.4 opener. Heavy favourite Secret Agent Man, starting from the outside post eight for driver Andy Miller, also declined a pylon spot and went up to challenge Blockchain, clearing him for the top going towards a :55.3 half.

Late in the backstretch Secret Agent Man opened a clear advantage to a 1:23.4 three-quarters, with Blockchain not keeping the pocket tight and the outer tiers ineffectual. But a little more than an eighth of a mile out, the favourite lost his composure and went offstride. With the pocket horse both not strong and moving a path outside to avoid any trouble from the breaker, Chef Rocco was able to move right through and trot to the fore, winning by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:53.3. Im An Andover, at 95-1, came up inside of him to finish second, with Soar Higher (Tim Tetrick), one of the inside-drawing horses not getting away well, even further down in the passing lane and along for third.

Mark Akins owns and trains five-year-old gelding Chef Rocco (Walner - Summer Savory), now a nine-time winner with more than $218,000 in career earnings.

Live harness racing at Harrah’s Philadelphia will continue on Friday at 12:25 p.m. and Sunday at 12:40 p.m., with the track already at work for one of its biggest days of the year: “Super Sunday,” coming a week from Sunday on the 25th. Three $100,000 USD Invitationals for the elite older performers will be matched with Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action for three-year-old pacing males on what is traditionally one of the best days of the Standardbred year in the state. 

(With files from PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)