Driver Tony Morgan and trainer Scott DiDomenico teamed for five wins on the 12-race program Sunday (Dec. 15) at Harrah's Philadelphia, which closed the riverside oval's 14th racing season.
Morgan and DiDomenico's five-bagger was highlighted by Jacks Shadow N's 1:52 victory in a $14,500 conditioned pace. The five-year-old Shadow Play gelding rallied from the pocket to upend 6-5 favourite Ollies Ztam by a half length and returned $6.20 to win.
The formerly Illinois-based connections also combined to win with Sweet Beach ($12.00, 1:53.2), Headbanger ($8.00, 1:55.3), Maroma Beach ($7.80, 1:52.3) and Alta Shelby N ($16.00, 1:52.4).
In the afternoon's $18,000 top-level pacing feature, Statement Made A ($3.40) controlled early splits of :27.1, :55.2 and 1:23, then parried a first-over challenge from Lord Willoughby A to win by a widening two-and-three-quarter lengths in 1:51. Dexter Dunn drove the six-year-old Bettors Delight gelding for trainer Tahnee Camilleri and owner David Kryway.
Tetrick, Garcia-Owen claim seasonal honours
Tim Tetrick was the top driver at Harrah's Philadelphia in 2019, winning 345 races compared to runner-up George Napolitano Jr.'s 301. Dexter Dunn finished third with 150 tallies. Gilbert Garcia-Owen finished atop the training table with 104 wins, well clear of Ron Burke's 79 and Nick Surick's 66.
The 15th season of harness racing at Harrah's Phildelphia is slated to commence on April 5, 2020.
(Harrah's Philadelphia)