La Miki N was used hard in a determined bid to make the lead in a contested :26.3 opening quarter, did so, and then held sway the rest of the way to win the featured $19,718 distaff conditioned pace for developing younger horses on Friday afternoon, Aug. 7 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

Perfidious Crown (Anibal Borjas) was away quickly from the rail, La Miki N (George Napolitano Jr.) was between horses and favoured Wise Professor (Simon Allard) was three-wide as they battled into the first turn. Track geometry dictated that Wise Professor prudently tuck in third, with La Miki N continuing up and wresting the lead from the stubborn Perfidious Crown.

La Miki N rated the half to :56.2, then got uncovered company from Threecurtaincalls (Mark Herschberger) to the 1:24.3 three-quarters, with Perfidious Crown still in the two-hole and Wise Professor a locked-in third. La Miki N kept going with a :27.3 last quarter to win by a length over a late-clearing Wise Professor, with Threecurtaincalls and Perfidious Crown crossing the wire in a dead-heat for third, though the latter was placed fourth for a pylon violation.

The meet’s top trainer, Per Engblom, has gotten four wins with the Always B Miki-La Soiree mare since taking over her care seven starts ago upon her arrival in the United States. She is owned by M T Stables Ontario Inc. of Scarborough, Ont.

In the $16,901 co-feature, also for pacing distaffs, the Philos Hanover-Kahlua Queen mare House Blend continue her love affair with the month of August: she is now two-for-two in her career during the eighth month of the year while winless in the other 11 after a 1:52.4 lifetime best. George Napolitano Jr. got the four-year-old away quickly, took a three-spot, then came blasting with her at the half and ripped off a :26.1 third quarter uncovered to open up an insurmountable lead. The Cancelliere Brothers (trainer Tom and owner John) saw their mare go the mile of her career on Friday.

George Napolitano Jr. led all Philly drivers Friday with four victories on the 14-race card; Troy Beyer and Art Stafford Jr. came home first twice.

Sunday at 12:40 p.m. will be the final racing card of the week at Philly, and it is headed by the third preliminary round of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes and Pennsylvania Stallion Series for two-year-old pacing fillies, with the Keystone-sired combatants going for a combined total of $207,254.

(With files from PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)