Tarpon Springs S, a recent import from Sweden, secured his second consecutive victory on U.S. soil with another win in the $17,391 featured trot on the next-to-last card of the year at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday, Dec. 29.
Andy Miller guided Tarpon Springs S off the gate, settling him into the pocket behind his main rival, Pisces Rising (Brett Beckwith), who posted relatively easy fractions of :28.3 and :59.2. As the race progressed, the pacesetter had to quicken the pace, reaching three-quarters in 1:27.2 to fend off the first-over challenge. When Miller shifted Tarpon Springs S to the outside in the stretch, the trotter had plenty left in the tank, powering home to a 1 3-3/4-length victory in 1:57.2.
Tarpon Springs S, a five-year-old gelding by Uncle Lasse out of Classification, is trained by Joe Bongiorno for owners Robert Weinstein, Nicole Diconstanzo, Thomas Svensen and Nicklas Osetergaard-Andersen. With this victory, Tarpon Springs S has earned $50,148 in his career. The trotter returned $3.20 to win.
Amateur drivers Lee Morris, Tony Beltrami and Cote Keim each collected wins in the last events for the American Harness Drivers Club in 2024. The club will be on hiatus until spring 2025.
When Tim Tetrick last raced at Harrah's Philadelphia on Dec. 20, he held a 19-win lead in the driver standings. Since then, George Napolitano Jr. has been on a hot streak, winning 13 races over the past four cards—including four on Sunday—narrowing Tetrick’s lead to just six (177-171). “G-Nap” will have drives in all 14 races on Tuesday’s season-ending card, with six of them listed as morning line favourites!
Live racing will resume at Philly on Tuesday, Dec. 31, with a 4 p.m. post time.
(With files from PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia & American Harness Drivers Club)