Muscle Mass gelding Armagedon Seelster went right to the lead and took the shortest way home in the $18,000 featured trot on Thursday afternoon at Harrah’s Philadelphia, but he had to be good late to hold off two threatening foes for a neck triumph in 1:55.1.
Pat Berry sent the winner to the front before the :27.4 quarter and didn’t receive great pressure through middle splits (:56.4 and 1:26). Sylvesteramerica IT closed hard from fourth to finish second, while the pocket-sitter, Wisenheimer, finished a close third. Ron Coyne Jr. conditions Armagedon Seelster for Ron Coyne Stables Inc., Blair Corbeil, and Mike Mcallister.
Driver George Napolitano Jr. recorded five wins on the afternoon card, which brought his career total to 9,997. When he reaches the milestone 10,000th win, he will be the 18th driver in North American history to reach five figures in driving wins, and he currently ranks 11th among active drivers. Napolitano is booked on eight drives for the Friday card at the riverside oval, among them three morning line favourites.
(With files from the PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)