Sophomore Muscle Massive gelding Jackies Jim, trainer Neal Ehrhart and driver George Napolitano Jr. continued their recent ‘in-form’ style, as they combined to win the $16,000 featured trot on Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 7) in 1:56.2 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Napolitano, who swept the first four races en route to five victories on the day, reserved Jackies Jim off the early pace, then sent him first-up before the half. He showed sharp acceleration to make the lead at the five-eighths-mile pole. He then opened up just enough ground on two rivals that had been caught inside when he powered to the lead (Lindseys Pride and Presidential Zette). The aforementioned two rivals ended up dead-heating for second, a neck behind the winner, who recorded his third consecutive victory. Ehrhart, who has been clicking at a 24 per cent rate since October 19, trains the winner for Virginia Ehrhart, Leta Deatrick, and Jacqueline Dobson.
In the $14,000 pacing co-feature, Tony Morgan sent sophomore Bettors Delight gelding Bettor Than Spring to the lead past the quarter and held sway the rest of the way. The winner had to be game to withstand the late burst of 40-1 shot Gideon Seelster by a neck in 1:55.1. Bettor Than Spring has now won three of four trips behind the gate since pairing with trainer Scott Di Domenico and the ownership of Joseph Bongiorno LLC and Triple D Stables Inc.
In the $14,000 trotting co-feature, sophomore Conway Hall gelding Flyhawk El Diablo took advantage of the ‘eligible at time of entry’ rule after winning his last start, and made it two straight while equalling his lifetime mark of 1:57.2 that he notched in his last race. Andrew McCarthy guided the winner to the lead going under the wire the first time, and the pair had more than enough to keep the pocketsitting First Class Act in arrears by almost three lengths under the wire the second time for owner/trainer James DeLucia.
(With files from PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)