Masseto moved to the lead early in the backstretch during the featured $16,667 conditioned trot on Friday, Dec. 12 at Harrah’s Philadelphia then was able to keep the advantage to the wire, finishing a length ahead of Foxy Joyce in a 1:59.3 mile.
With Anthony Napolitano picking up the catch-drive, Masseto, winner of this class last Friday and favoured for a repeat victory, sat well-placed just off a contested lead then went uncovered past the half and was able to go right by the leader. Foxy Joyce (James Kennedy) went up in the flow behind Masseto, but he had to settle for second while Entertain Me (Niko Karna) completed the top three finish order. The victorious Walner-Top Expectations gelding is owned and trained by Pennsylvania's Mike Watson, who acquired the sophomore recently and now has three wins in his last four starts with him.
Strutsville, the 2-5 shot in the $15,278 distaff fast-class pace, had the rail but two 30-1 shots overcame their outermost slots and grabbed the first two spots early, forcing Strutsville to have to go first-over for driver Ridge Warren, with second-choice Odds On Aces Full (Simon Allard) right behind. Despite the long battle uncovered, Strutsville made the lead in the stretch then held off the horse behind her by a head in 1:53.3, with Bellucci (Jack Pelling) rounding out the top three. The winning three-year-old daughter of Huntsville out of Strut My Stuff, the 2023 ASHA Yearling Sale topper, is trained by Ron Coyne Jr. for Camrose, Alta. owners Nancy Retzlaff and Douglas Stout.
Warren and Pelling each drove three winners on the 14-race program.
Philly closes out its racing week with a 12:40 p.m. first post for Sunday's card, featuring a $16,000 USD fast-class handicap pace and a carryover into the Pick 5 pool. The track will then race on a Friday, Sunday, Wednesday schedule the last two weeks of the year, with both Fridays at 12:25 p.m. and both Sundays at 12:40 p.m., but different post times for the cards one day in front of the holidays: Christmas Eve at 12 noon and New Year’s Eve at 4 p.m.
(With files from PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)