With Harrah’s Philadelphia not presenting a live program on American Thanksgiving Thursday afternoon, the trotters and the pacing mares both got turns in the racing spotlight, with each group having a $12,800 feature and an $11,600 co-feature on Wednesday (Nov. 25).
In the $12,800 events for “non-winners of 5 races,” the trotters were led by the Explosive Matter sophomore gelding Arclight Hanover, who rewarded the bettors who made him the favourite by sweeping wide on the far turn and going off to a one-and-three-quarter length victory over Andela in 1:56.3 for driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Mark Harder, the latter a co-owner with Deena Frost and Emma Petterson.
The Bettors Delight mare Iron Mistress proved most photogenic in a three-way photo to take the top pacing purse and also a new mark of 1:52.3 for owner/trainer/driver Ray Baynes. Pacesetting Somebeachsomefra was engaged first by pocket-pulling favourite Wayside and then by the winner up the inside; the right-hand foe she handled, but her left-handed opponent she could not withstand.
In the pacing $11,600 fast-class contest My Kiwi Lady N, a frequent winner at the Running Aces meet but off the board twice since coming east, stormed down the center of the track to post a career-best 1:51.3 win for trainer/driver Chris Scicluna, a length to the good of Crazy Cute. Vinny Ginsburg, the driver of the $94.00 upsetter, is now tied with Simon Allard and David Miller in having guided three such “bombers” during the 2020 Philly action.
Driver Yannick Gingras returned to Victory Lane after the trotting co-feature with the Yankee Glide gelding Max, who was solid in a 1:54 wire-to-wire victory to push his career bankroll to $227,156. Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC share ownership in the winner with Frank Baldachino. For trainer Ron Burke, the win was his 78th of the season at Philly. That total currently gives Burke a two-win cushion over Gilbert Garcia-Owen as he attempts to complete his first “Pennsylvania triple”. Ron won the training title at Pocono for the first time this year, and he has a giant lead at The Meadows.
(PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)