Scuola Hanover won her fourth straight race, defeating Bettor Trix N in 1:52 in the $17,000 distaff pacing feature at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 24).
Big City Betty and Miss Hill got away one-two in the featured field of eight, with the former passing the first two poles in :27.3 and :56.2. Bettor Trix N, who had won all four of her Stateside starts to date and was the 6-5 second choice, started uncovered up the backstretch, with 1-2 favourite Scuola Hanover enjoying a perfect cover trip past the 1:24.2 three-quarters and into the stretch. The sophomore A Rocknroll Dance filly proved the strongest in the latter stages, with an individual last split of :27.4 putting her two lengths clear of Big City Betty at the finish. Miss Hill was another neck back in third and a quarter-length ahead of Bettor Trix N.
Scuola Hanover passed $200,000 in career earnings with her previous win in a division of the Simpson Stake, and this victory now boosts her earnings to $215,798 for trainer Andrew Stafford, who co-owns with Art Stafford and Thomas Ireland. David Miller recorded his third victory of the afternoon behind the winner.
(with files from Harrah's Philadelphia)