One After Nine survived a difficult two-move journey to win the $15,300 feature on “Trottin’ Thursday” afternoon (Oct. 6) at Harrah’s Philadelphia in 1:56.
Marcus Miller got the Andover Hall gelding away third, then commenced his next forward push in the middle of the backstretch. He trotted gamely to defeat pocket-sitter X O X O by 1-1/4 lengths with Yucatan Party Man, the horse who was on the winner’s back, another half-length back in third. One After Nine won in this approximate class at Pocono on July 16, and since then has had a pretty steady diet of veteran fast-class foes. The four-year-old shows his appreciation for the drop to a winning level by raising his earnings to $106,251 for trainer Bucky Angle Jr. and owners Howard and Joshua Hoffman.
The Father Patrick sophomore filly Shestheluckyone also had to be out on the grind in the $14,400 co-feature, but she showed grit in winning while equaling her mark of 1:56.2. Simon Allard, whose three victories led the drivers colony on this day, guided the distaff to a neck victory over pacesetter Torrone for trainer Mark Akins and A 1 Racing.
The $13,000 top fast-class trot fell to the Break The Bank K gelding Double Account, a heavy favourite who got away second, stalked swift pacesetter Robbie Pev until nearing the top of the lane, then worked resolutely to get by that rival by a half length in 1:52.3. George Napolitano Jr. drove the winner of $298,402 for trainer Jeff Cullipher, who shares ownership with Pollack Racing LLC.
The Friday (Oct. 7) feature at Philly will be a $16,200 handicap pace, with Lyons Steel assigned the outermost six post after winning three straight, including two races at this level, but he won’t have an easy job with powerhouses such as Lous Pearlman and Pat McGarry A inside of him. The action begins at 12:25 p.m. (EDT).
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)