Before driver Tim Tetrick headed south to Dover Downs for some stakes competition, he got himself a nice little warm up at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 13), as he made six visits to the winner’s circle.
Tetrick’s six victories give him a 299-266 lead over George Napolitano Jr. with 18 cards left in the 2019 Harrah’s Philadelphia season. Should Tetrick retain his lead, he would win his sixth driving victory title at Harrah’s Philadelphia, and bring him to within one of Napolitano’s seven local driving crowns.
Tetrick was not victorious in either of the day’s $16,000 featured events. He was already gone by the time the trotting contest was held, and he finished second in the pace, which was won by Cecil Casanova, who rallied from far back to post a 1:53 triumph at 12-1. Scott Zeron drove the winning sophomore Ponder gelding for trainer Peter Foley and All Star Racing Inc.
In the top trot, Hatkivah came along well late to hit the wire first in 1:56.1. Driver Mattias Melander also chose off-the-pace tactics with the three-year-old Chapter Seven colt, and the youngster responded to overhaul longshot pacesetter Mystical Wynn by a length. Hatkivah is trained by Marcus Melander for the partnership of Richard Gutnick, Thomas Pontone, Joseph Lozito Jr., and Ted Gewertz.
The high off-the-pace success rate is unusual for Philly, which has seen speed hold up well, but as the temperature approached the freezing mark, only four of 12 horses that were leading at the half held on to the finish. Coincidentally, all four of them were driven by Tim Tetrick.
(With files from PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)