Three divisions of the Debutante Stakes (part of the Historic Series) were contested at Harrah's Philadelphia on Friday afternoon (Oct. 10). The events were for two-year-old filly pacers, each going for a purse of approximately $35,000.
In the first division, it was the John Butenschoen trainee Happiness (Mike Simons) going gate-to-wire to remain undefeated. The daughter of Rocknroll Hanover was able to rate a :29.4 second quarter, before going on to pace a strong back half in :55.4 to secure the victory. Bob and Lauren Tucker's Ideal Nuggets (David Miller) provided a strong first over challenge, but came up a neck short in an exciting stretch duel. The mile was completed in 1:53.1. Happiness ($4.80 to win) is owned by breeders Vieux Carre Farms and Butenschoen. Cover Model (Corey Callahan) finished third.
In division two, Better Said (Tim Tetrick) made it two in a row. The daughter of Well Said battled for the lead for much of the opening quarter (:27.4) before going on to a strong front end victory. She won by two lengths, stopping the clock in 1:52.1. Rock Me Gently (Yannick Gingras) sat in the pocket seat throughout to finish second, while My Little Delight (Andrew McCarthy) closed mildly up the inside to finish third. Better Said is owned by Brittany Farms and is trained by Linda Toscano. She paid $4.60 to win.
In the third and final division, Southwind Roulette (Yannick Gingras) came into the event as the heavy favorite, but Seeking Nirvana (David Miller) had other ideas. The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere left aggressively from the far outside to sit pocket behind the favourite. After patiently drafting for much of the mile, she was given her cue, vacating the pocket just beyond three-quarters. In the stretch, Seeking Nirvana was able to survive a passing lane surge from Alexa Said (Brett Miller) to win by a quarter of a length, stopping the time in 1:52.3. She paid $17.60 to win. Seeking Nirvana is owned by Patricia Stable and Barb Matthews, and is trained by Noel Daley.
In overnight action, Bamond Racing's Venus Delight (Tim Terick) scored in a winners over $25,000 lifetime event for filly and mare pacers. The four-year-old picked up her 16th victory out of just 40 starts in come-from-behind fashion, stopping the clock in 1:51 flat. Ms Caila J Fra (Ron Pierce) raced a big first-over effort to be second, while Charisma Hanover (Yannick Gingras) cleared late to finish third. Venus Delight is trained by P J Fraley and she paid $4.20 to win.
(Harrah's Philadelphia)