Scirocco Rob got his own way on the front end, then held off a late challenge from 38-1 shot Pappy Go Go to take the $14,400 trotting feature Thursday afternoon (Nov. 19) at Harrah’s Philadelphia in 1:54.
The veteran Explosive Matter gelding left well from his assigned outside post seven for driver Tim Tetrick, made the lead in the middle of the first turn, and set fractions of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:25.1. Pappy Go Go made the winner give his all in the lane, but Scirocco Rob held off his rival by three-quarters of a length for trainer Mark Silva and owners Kathleen and Lewis Whitaker Jr.
The faster of two $12,800 sub-featured trots went to Big Nudge, a three-year-old Donato Hanover colt who was sent to the lead in front of the stands by driver David Miller and never gave up the lead thereafter. The tough first-over Willing Hanover ground to him late in the 1:55.4 mile, but Big Nudge crossed the finish line a length to the good for trainer Jake Leamon and owners Charles Elliott, A And B Stable and Hutt Racing Stable.
The three-year-old Trixton filly Tricky Sister enjoyed substantial relief from top stakes company and overhauled Harley K by 1-1/4 lengths at the end of a 1:57.1 mile in the other sub-feature. George Napolitano Jr. drove for trainer Andrew Harris and owner Robert Key.
David Miller and Tim Tetrick were the leading drivers on the day with three victories each.
(PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)