It was “Miller time” during the John Simpson Sr. stakes action for freshman colts on Friday afternoon at Harrah’s Philadelphia, as driver Marcus Miller had a victory in both the trotting and pacing events (in the trot for trainer/aunt Julie), while David Miller took the other trot before heading off to Breeders Crown competition at Hoosier Park.
The events were the $111,600 Super Bowl, raced as noted in two divisions, and the $110,000 Bret Hanover, which went in three splits. The Millers’ sweep in the Super Bowl came with odds-on favourites; the first to succeed were David and the Cantab Hall – Jolie De Vie gelding Jack Fire, making the lead off turn one and going on to victory in taking a new mark of 1:56. The Pennsylvania Sire Stakes consolation winner defeated the Fair Sire Stakes champion Top Me Off by three-quarters of a length to make him a success in half of his ten starts and an earner of $127,359 for trainer Nifty Norman and the ownership of Pinske Stables and Curly Tall Curly Small.
The second trot was an “Illinois Millers” affair, with Marcus moving Sunny Crockett to the top at about the same spot Jack Fire took command, and the pair withstanding pocketsitter Flemsteen by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.2. The Julie Miller trainee, a colt by Father Patrick – Moonlight In Miami, now has six wins in eleven trips to the gate and a bankroll of $110,229 for Willow Oak Ranch and Andy Miller Stable Inc.
Marcus Miller’s win on the pace was behind the fastest of the three winners, the Somebeachsomewhere – Swinging Beauty gelding Whichwaytothebeach, who got command at the quarter and stayed strong to the finish, coming his back half in :54.4 to complete a 1:51.2 package. Bettor Of The West, who made the winner work for the early lead, came back at him from the pocket but fell three-quarters of a length shy as Whichwaytothebeach, a heavy favourite, is now 4-for-8 with $117,708 in earnings for trainer Roland Mallar and owners Alan Johnston and John Craig.
A second siring credit came to Somebeachsomewhere as his altered son out of History Repeats, His Beats Hanover, continued his development for trainer Tom and owner John Cancelliere by breaking his maiden in 1:53. A sharp closer in his last two races, today he raced from the pocket for George Napolitano Jr. and went by favoured Cyrus Peak by a half length.
The Captaintreacherous – Fancy Filly colt Captain Fancy posted his third straight victory despite having to pace his last half raw in :55, drawing off to a 2-1/2 length victory over Mysweetboymax while earning a new speed badge of 1:52.2. Daniel Dube had the sulky duty for trainer Bill MacKenzie and owners Vincent Ali Jr., Alma Iafelice, and Ted Gewertz.
Marcus Miller, Todd McCarthy, and George Napolitano Jr. all had driving triples on the Friday Philly card.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philly)