Christopher Dance N, who had bad luck in his North American debut at The Meadowlands, scored a 1:51.3 victory in the $19,444 conditioned feature for up-and-coming pacers on Sunday, Aug. 17 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

The son of Sweet Lou-Just Dance pressed on past a :28 quarter to reach the top in front of the stands, hit the half in :57.1, then picked up the speed to meet the challenge of first-over Odds On Wildfire (Geovany Hernandez). The two pacers battled through the 1:25 three-quarters and all the way to the wire, with Christopher Dance N speeding home in :26.3 to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Odds On Wildfire. Pineapple Crunch (George Napolitano Jr.) was third. The winner returned $4.

Johnathan Ahle handled the sulky duties behind Christopher Dance N, who earned $165,571 in eight 2024 Down Under starts. The five-year-old stallion took his sixth career win in 14 attempts. He moved to the United States earlier this year for trainer Jeff Cullipher, third in the Philly standings, and owner Pollack Racing LLC.

In the $18,056 fast-class handicap pace, the Hes Watching-Tymal Sugarbabydoll gelding Funtime Bayama returned to the limelight with a commanding victory. He headed right down the road while setting fractions of :26.3, :54.1 and 1:21.4, then drew off easily to a 3-1/2-length score in 1:49.4 for driver Jack Pelling and trainer Andrew Harris, who co-owns him with William Pollock and Bruce Areman. Funtime Bayama bumped his career bankroll to $490,826 with his 10th win in 24 starts. Spring Inhis Step A (Corey Callahan) finished second, followed by Ignatius A (Ahle). The winner paid $7.40.

Mark Herschberger, now fourth in the Philly driving win column, guided four horses back to Victory Lane for the day’s top honours.

John Calabrese took two of three $10,417 pacing races for the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) with Freds Night in 1:54.4 for trainer Salvatore Sciarrino and Redding Hanover in 1:56.3 for Howard Birney. Frank Tsipouras won the final division in rein to the Michael Polhemus trainee Warrawee Xceed in 1:54.2.

Racing will continue on a three-card-a-week schedule at Philly, with Thursday and Friday racing at 12:25 p.m. and Sunday’s action starting at 12:40 p.m.

(PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia & AHDC)