On a blustery Friday afternoon at Harrah’s Philadelphia where the track was rated fast but a one-second allowance was given for the elements, Jula Muscle Pack introduced himself to local fans in fine style, with the sophomore son of Muscle Hill winning in 1:57.1 in the $15,300 featured trot.
George Napolitano Jr. moved Jula Muscle Pack to command past a :29 quarter, backed off the half to :59, passed the three-quarters in 1:27.4 and then darted home without much trouble, with Bang Bang Boinga coming out second, three lengths behind. Per Engblom trains the winner of $145,201 for Jula Racing Inc.
A pair of $14,400 events were co-featured, one on each gait. The pace was restricted to males, and it went to the Sweet Lou sophomore gelding Dance It Out in 1:54. Driver Tim Tetrick, who led all Philly drivers with three victories on the day, sent the three-year-old to command early, yielded to Stunners Wish to sit the pocket, saw the pacesetter keep the first-over parked, then had enough time to rally up the inside to catch that speedy rival by 1-1/2 lengths while winning his second straight for trainer Bill MacKenzie and owners Vincent Ali Jr. and Alma Iafelice.
On the trot, the Guccio gelding Bluebird Rocky handled the rough tuck-then-first-over trip, grinding down leader Givem The Goo en route to a 2-1/2-length tally in 1:57, with the favourite coming his own back half in :56.4. Tony Morgan drove the talented winner for trainer Ron Burke and the partnership of Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
Sunday’s 12:40 p.m. card features a pair of $16,200 paces, one for each sex, with higher money-winners handicapped outside. A pair who have enjoyed much success at Philly, the distaff Shes Pukka N and the 2019 Jug winner Southwind Ozzi, are the early favourites. Program pages for Sunday’s card will be available on the PHHA website.
(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)