Greenma sat behind a highly contested battle for the lead through most of the $18,750 featured conditioned trot for up-and-coming horses at Harrah’s Philadelphia on “Trottin’ Thursday,” Sept. 18, then moved wide and drew away from his tired competition while equalling his lifetime mark of 1:53.4.

Contenders were three-deep to a :27.4 quarter, with Honolulu Hanover (George Napolitano Jr.) eventually giving way to Jersey Slide (Troy Beyer), who took the field past a :56.3 half. Beaujolais Breeze (Mark Herschberger) made a strong uncovered challenge to the 1:25 three-quarters, with Greenma towing along behind him. Greenma sailed by his rivals easily by 4-1/4 lengths in the last eighth, with Honolulu Hanover coming back inside for second behind the victorious altered sophomore son of Greenshoe-Ma Was Right. Abraham Hanover (Stacy Chiodo) was third.

Greenma is trained and driven by Trond Smedshammer for Purple Haze Stables LLC. He is now four-for-15 lifetime.

Moni Buys Happynes, despite 28 days away from the races, was never headed in her division of the $16,667 sub-feature trots for a class below the top developing horses. The International Moni-Take It Off Girl sophomore filly posted a new lifetime mark of 1:55 in winning easily by 2-1/4 lengths for driver Johnathan Ahle and owner-trainer Richard Hans (of Googoo Gaagaa fame). Calculated Concept (Corey Callahan) finished second, followed by Messenger Hanover (Napolitano).

In the other grouping of this class, On Golden Pond sat third-over off several front-end battlers, swept four-wide into the lane, and charged to victory in 1:58.1 by two lengths. Steppin Tall (Napolitano) closed for place, followed by Vatu Hanover (Steve Smith). A three-year-old daughter of Southwind Frank-Glowngold, On Golden Pond was guided by Patrick Ryder for trainer Roberta Nikodemski, who co-owns the filly with Michael Nikodemski.

In the top fast-class conditioned handicap event for trotters, worth $18,056, Celebrity Bambino worked to the lead nearing the quarter, backed the half way down, then sprinted home in :56 to keep pocket-sitting Super Duper Cooper (Herschberger) 1-1/2 lengths at bay while finishing the mile in 1:53.1. Howlingathemoon Dk (Pat Lachance) was third. Callahan worked out a fine trip for the winning son of Muscle Hill-Celebrity Ruth. Ron Burke does the training for Burke Racing Stable LLC, J&T Silva Stables LLC, Knox Services Inc., and Phil Collura.

Usain Hanover was not content with an early mid-pack tuck, so Jack Pelling asked him to go on to the lead, which he did under the wire the first time. From there the Bar Hopping-Up Front Hotsey gelding proved to be much the best in the $15,278 subfeature for the fast-class set, with the 1:53 time equalling his fastest race mile ever. The familiar team of trainer Jeff Cullpher and owner Pollack Racing LLC collaborated yet again. Somebody Special (Herschberger) was second by 4-1/2 lengths with White Shoe Hanover (Callahan) third.

No fewer than nine horsemen had two victories at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Thursday: drivers Ahle, Callahan, Herschberger, Napolitano, Pelling, and Ryder, and trainers Ron Burke, Cullipher, and Stoebe.

Racing will take place at Philly on Friday at 12:25 p.m., with female pacers featured, and Sunday at 12:40 p.m., when their male counterparts take center stage.

(PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)