Driver George Napolitano Jr. and trainer Gilbert Garcia-Owen captured both of the pacing features on “Distaff Day” Wednesday (Nov. 4) at Harrah’s Philadelphia as part of a giant day for both horsemen.
Despite having to go first-over against pace-setting favourite Machnhope in the $14,400 top-line event, the veteran McArdle mare Lispatty was able to get to the line first, and the seven-year-old did it in 1:49.4 to take a new lifetime mark. After a classic “ding-dong” stretch battle, Lispatty proved a half-length better to earn her 40th career victory and raise her bankroll to $986,726. Garcia-Owen is also the owner of the classy pacer.
In the $11,600 co-feature pace for distaffs, the Art Major mare Crazy Cute vacated the three-hole late on the backstretch, went up after pace-setting stakes filly Dance Club, ground her into submission, then held off second-over Scandalicious by 1-1/2 lengths. The mile went in 1:51.1, a time which matched the winner’s mark. Garcia-Owen’s father Gilbert Garcia-Herrera shares ownership of the winner with Barbara and Donald Arnstine.
For the day, Napolitano visited Victory Lane seven times, solidifying his spot atop the local drivers colony, while Garcia-Owen harnessed five winners to close the gap behind leading trainer Ron Burke (who fought back with a late-card winner), their numbers being 72-63 with about seven weeks remaining in the season.
Driver Mike Simons blew up the tote board for the second straight day at a different eastern Pennsylvania track. Yesterday, he guided Tricky Dick to an $86.00 upset at Pocono; on this card, he drove How Are Yee John, who was photoed out by Bell I No, but the judges found that Bell I No had drifted out and interfered with the chances of How Are Yee John, reversing how the horses crossed the line for the official order of finish. How Are Yee John paid a healthy $66.20 to his scattered backers among the Philly faithful.
Prompted by a carryover of $2,039.88, the Thursday (Nov. 5) Pick-4 pool at Harrah's Philadelphia will be guaranteed at $7,500.
The guaranteed pool is offered in conjunction with the United States Trotting Association's Strategic Wagering Program. As such, past performance pages for the Pick-4 sequence will be available on the USTA website.
The Pick-4 at Harrah's Philadelphia is a 50-cent base wager spanning races seven through 10 daily, and it offers a low 15% takeout.
First post is scheduled for 12:25 p.m. EST. Post time at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Friday will be at 2:05 p.m., so people who are in the mood on wagering on horses and are “double-gaited” might also find some action on the first day of the Breeders Cup at Keeneland.
(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)