The Liberty Bell Stakes for Pennsylvania-sited two- and three-year-olds concluded its 2024 run on Sunday, Nov. 3 at Harrah’s Philadelphia, with sophomore fillies racing on both gaits -- two $41,667 divisions for each.
Under conditions not optimal for speed, the Sweet Lou pacing miss Sweet Gal went a very big mile, with her 1:49 clocking only three-fifths of a second off the track and world record established by Odds On Hail Mary last season. Driver Andrew McCarthy sat with the winner in the pocket as Sarasota Hanover unloaded monster splits of :26, :54 and 1:21.3, then came on in the lane to leave that rival 3-3/4 lengths behind while equalling her lifetime best for trainer Brett Pelling and owners W J Donovan and Mark Mullen.
The other pacing section was also won by a pocket rocket, the Captaintreacherous filly Donegal Spirit, who rallied for the tally by half a length over Canigetalouploup in 1:50.2, with pacesetting chalk Pressure Cooker another three parts of a length back. Andrew Harris is the conditioner of the 8-1 upsetter, who produced a lifetime best for the ownership of William Pollock, Bruce Areman and A Harris Racing.
In the quicker trotting mile, the Bar Hopping miss Upallnight Hanover bided her time in third, then was given her marching orders by driver George Napolitano Jr. in the middle of the far turn. Upallnight Hanover used a steady closing kick to overhaul the leading favourite Draw The Line by a head in 1:53.2, trotting her own back fractions in :55.3 and :27.2 while tallying for trainer Åke Svanstedt and Journey Horses Inc.
The Greenshoe filly Fannie Lipkowitz, bet down to 1-5, must have given her backers some concern when she had to start an uncovered move from last in her section, but she moved up steadily and was in time to catch the pacesetter Diamante Hanover by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.4. Rikard Skoglund handled the driving duties for trainer Lucas Wallin and the ownership of Shermay Stables and Wallin Racing Stable Inc.
The redoubtable Warrawee Needy pacing mare Need Ur Opinion equalled her lifetime best of 1:51.2 while recording her 20th win of the year, tops among all U.S.-based horses. George Napolitano Jr. put the tough distaff on the lead and she couldn’t be caught, winning her third straight for trainer Dean Eckley and owner Ameer Major. (The North American victory leader Hugh Heff was parked at every call in the top class at Northside Downs in Nova Scotia on Saturday and was second by a neck, ending a 10-race winning streak that contributed mightily to his 24 seasonal successes.)
Yannick Gingras led all drivers with four victories on Sunday afternoon at Philly; Tim Tetrick and George Napolitano Jr., first and second, respectively, in the seasonal standings at the riverside oval, each had a double. The sole trainer to double up on the afternoon was meet leader Dean Eckley.
Tony Beltrami and Bruno Chiodo each won $10,417 divisions for the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC). Beltrami bagged a 1:54.4 win with 2-5 favourite Saulsbrook Raptor in the first division. Eddie Sager trains the five-year-old gelding by Shadow Play for owner Hemlock Racing Stable Inc. After the disqualification of 3-5 favourite Master Miki and Geovany Hernandez for interference to the quarter, Chiodo and Lovethewayyoulie earned the win in a 1:54.2 mile in the second division. The five-year-old gelding by Rockin Image is trained by Stacy Chiodo and owned by Chiodo Racing.
Harrah’s Philadelphia will race on Thursday and Friday at 12:25 p.m. and on Sunday at 12:40 p.m. this coming week.
(With files from PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia & AHDC; photo of Sweet Gal from a previous win)