Rickybobbynthehaus saw a lot of racetrack in the $13,000 featured handicap pace for the top claimers at Harrah’s Philadelphia on a soaking, damp Sunday afternoon (Oct. 2), but he also got to see the most important place of all at the racetrack – the winner’s circle, after a 1:53.3 victory.
Jack Pelling was three-wide with the American Ideal gelding early, then settled him in the pocket behind 32-1 shot What The Luck as Rough Odds could find no hole early and had to press the issue. Knowing he had horse but unsure of which horse would win the protracted fight for the lead, Pelling backed his horse to the two-wide tier on the backstretch, then was three-wide before the three-quarters when neither horse had yet given in. Rickybobbynthehaus was up to the arduous trip, taking the lead in the lane then holding off Park Official by a length.
Rickybobbynthehaus has had two wins and a second at this level in his last three starts. Unfortunately for trainer-owner Chris Temming, if the horse continues his solid form, it will be for someone else, as Rickybobbynthehaus was claimed for $28,000 – but Temming’s consolation is $16,250 in purses, minus training expenses, for profit over the horse’s three-week stay with him.
One of the two $11,200 fast-class paces figured tougher than the other, as five of its seven entrants showed a winning line in this class or higher. The eventual winner, the Somebeachsomewhere gelding South Beach Star, actually had won in a class higher in his last race, but still was the 3-1 third choice after winding up with post seven.
Jack Pelling drove him as if he were the best, willing to be parked to the three-eighths to get the lead, continuing with a hot pace, then handling stretch chargers across the racetrack to win in 1:52. The closest foe was Dealers Table, three-quarters of a length back. Jack’s father Brett trains the winner for All Star Racing Inc.
The other fast-class pace went to the Sweet Lou gelding Sweet Truth, who let favored Ollies Z Tam go to the lead on the first turn to sit the two-hole, then moved out nearing headstretch and overpowered the chalk by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:53.2. Simon Allard drove the winner for trainer Jeff Cullipher, also co-owner with Pollack Racing LLC.
Fast-class winning drivers Allard and Pelling shared sulky honors on the day with three victories in the cool and muck.
Racing resumes at the riverside oval on “Trottin’ Thursday” (Oct. 6) at 12:25 p.m. (EDT) when the card will feature $15,300 and $14,400 events for developing horses and a $13,000 event for the fast-class set.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)