Developing younger horses were featured in a trio of $11,200 features at Harrah’s Philadelphia during an afternoon where the track went from “good” to “fast” as the moisture in the surface was worked away.
The fact that the track was still rated “good” for his race didn’t bother the Western Ideal sophomore gelding Full Send at all, as he powered out of the pocket for driver Montrell Teague to easily catch pace-setting favourite Rockin The Blaze in 1:50.2 in the single pacing feature. One of the star performers in a tough three-year-old pacing colt division along the Pennsylvania Fair circuit this past year, Full Send set a new mark while taking his eighth win of the year for trainer Eli Scott Jr. and Chesapeake Equine Clinic Inc.
In the first of the two trotting headliners, held when the track was still “good”, the Muscle Hill sophomore filly Zoe F raced off to a big lead down the backstretch and had open distance on her opponents to the wire while equaling her lifetime mark of 1:56.2 (taken over an “off” track at Pocono). Andrew McCarthy was in the sulky for trainer Francisco Del Cid, who is also the co-owner with Whiskey Trail Stables Inc.
The track rating had been upgraded to “fast” by the time the other trotting headliner went to the gate. That race was taken by Andela, who made the lead, let the favoured Bang Bang Boinga go to the lead before the half to trail behind her, then came out in the stretch to catch the pacesetter in a career best 1:55.2. The three-year-old daughter of Yankee Glide, whose second dam is the champion CR Kay Suzie, was driven and is trained by Rod Allen, and owned by Rod Allen Inc.
For the third straight day (all of which involved some moisture), the track was not kind to pacesetters. Tim Tetrick was the winningest driver of the day with four tallies, and none of his winners were closer than fourth or within three lengths of the lead at the three-quarters, usually the road to nowhere at Philly but lately a preferred route to the winner's circle.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)