The American Ideal mare Its Mesmerise N got a great trip in the pocket behind Bye Bye Felicia, then came outside in the lane and ran that one down by a neck in 1:52.1 to win the $11,600 featured distaff pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia Wednesday afternoon (Dec. 23).
Driver Simon Allard kept Its Mesmerise N in the golden chair behind fractions of :27.4, :57.2 and 1:24.3, and when first-over favourite New Year could make no headway, the race came down to the front two. The New Zealand import had :54.3 back-half speed while recording her eleventh victory of the year and to go over $100,000 in career earnings for trainer Chris Ryder and Windemere Stables LLC.
In one of two $10,000 co-features (both for pacing females), the Rock N Roll Heaven mare Oceania made a sweeping move on the far turn, then continued it to the wire—a rare tactic at Philly—to post a $41.20 upset in 1:53.1 while bettering fellow closer Rockin The Boys A by one-and-a-quarter lengths. Corey Callahan guided the winner of $275,423 for trainer Robert Cleary and Deo Volente Farms LLC.
In the other sub-feature, the Changeover mare Darkrshadeofpale N followed favoured Rose Run Victoria up the backstretch, tucked in the pocket as that one went to the lead at the three-quarters, then came up the inside to prove the conquistador by a half-length in 1:53. Anthony Napolitano, top pilot on the card with four wins, had the drive for trainer Noel Daley, with Windemere Stable LLC taking two of the afternoon’s three features.
Anthony Napolitano was back in the winners circle, along with Harrah’s Director of Racing Joe Auger, in a ceremony honouring his brother George, who took the driving dash and UDR titles in 2020 and whose last day at the track this meet was Wednesday. George Napolitano Jr. put up a local seasonal scorecard of 1040-244-173-133-.370 in taking his eighth local win title (more than any other driver) and his fourth UDR crown.
(PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)