Rockin The Aces withstood sustained pressure and Sweet Talker converted a first-over attack to take their respective $13,000 pacing features on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 3) at Harrah's Philadelphia.
In the featured event for male pacers, Rockin The Aces and driver Montrell Teague brushed from midfield into a :56 half before facing a stern first-over challenge from Always And Again to three-quarters in 1:24 and all the way around the final turn. The four-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven gelding dug deep to prevail in 1:51.3, keeping Always And Again a neck at bay. Big Stretch Mark rode second-over cover into third, two lengths farther back.
Bruce Saunders trains 16-time winner Rockin The Aces for Beverly Schiffman. He paid $3.20 to win.
The week's top distaff pace saw Sweet Talker and driver Corey Callahan commence an uncovered bid out of fourth as Delishka N controlled the pace through a :55.2 half. Sweet Talker steamrolled Delishka N up the backstretch, and then kept a late challenge from Rock N Shard N three-quarters of a length at bay to win in 1:51.3. Rockin Philly rallied from last to finish third, another 3-3/4 lengths behind; odds-on favourite Eclipse Me N finished fifth in the field of eight after being trapped among rivals on the final turn.
Trish Adams trains Sweet Talker, a four-year-old daughter of Sweet Lou with six career wins to her credit, for owner Joseph Riad. She paid $7.20 to win.
Callahan and Simon Allard led all drivers with three wins apiece on the 14-race card, while Adams, Jeff Cullipher and Edwin Quevedo all notched training doubles.
Racing returns to Harrah's Philadelphia with a 14-race card on Thursday (Oct. 7); post time is 12:25 p.m. (EDT).
(Harrah's Philadelphia)