Four divisions of the Liberty Bell for Pennsylvania-sired three-year-old colts and geldings led the Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 14) program at Harrah's Philadelphia.
Tru Lou took top honours on the pacing side, posting a new mark of 1:49.1 in his $31,300 division while in line to David Miller. The Sweet Lou gelding raced in the pocket behind Manticore before ducking to the open stretch and holding off a late burst from heavy favourite Allywag Hanover — who rallied off second-over cover — by a neck. Ron Burke trains Tru Lou for the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Knox Services Inc. and the Slaughter Racing Stable.
In the other pacing section, Miller won with another Sweet Lou gelding, Tito Rocks, who has now taken two straight after a 1:50.3 victory. Tito Rocks worked hard for the early lead before yielding to prohibitive favourite Patriot Nation, and then worked up the inside to defeat the favourite by three-quarters of a length at the finish. Robert Cleary trains Tito Rocks for Royal Wire Products Inc.
On the trotting side, Overserved proved fastest of all with a career-best 1:53.1 performance in his $37,300 division. Favourite Paulie Walnuts set the pace, with Town Victor angling out from the pocket for the drive and Overserved — who had tucked third — fanning wider yet under Tim Tetrick. Overserved proved to have the most late, going by to win by 1-1/4 lengths, with Town Victor narrowly edging Paulie Walnuts for second. George Ducharme trains the Explosive Matter colt — who won the Pennsylvania Stallion Series final last month — for William Donovan, Stephen Michaels, Joe Sbrocco and Jim Winske.
In the other section, Tetrick landed Loyal Fox Hanover in the pocket early, waited behind pacesetter Shinkansen, and then edged out in the stretch to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:54. Ron Coyne Jr. trains the Andover Hall gelding for Vogel & Wags Nags LLC, Team Rice Racing LLC and Adelphia Bloodstock Inc.
In a $14,400 distaff handicap, Machnhope overcame her assigned post eight and rolled to a new mark of 1:50. The Mach Three mare eclipsed $300,000 in lifetime earnings with the win for driver Andy McCarthy and trainer Noel Daley, who shares ownership with Deo Volente Farms LLC, Thomas Pontone and the L A Express Stable.
(PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)