The Thursday (Dec. 3) card at Harrah’s Philadelphia featured a pair of $12,800 features for younger horses working their way up the class ladder.
In the first, Rock Party got to the lead just past the quarter for driver George Napolitano Jr. before rating a :30.4 second quarter breather. There was no catching the front-stepping favourite from that point, as he cruised home 3-1/4 lengths ahead in 1:56.2. Mark Silva took over the training of the sophomore Cantab Hall gelding in early November for owners Lewis Whitaker Jr. and Charles Rowe.
The second co-feature went to a three-year-old daughter of Yankee Glide, Andela. She was also parked past the quarter before assuming command and rolling on for a 2-1/4 length triumph in 1:57, her second win in her last three starts. Rod Allen drove Andela, whom he also owns and trains.
In a $10,000 event for fast-class trotters, the veteran Credit Winner gelding Fashion Creditor defeated pocket rival MVP Luke by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:54. Napolitano, who led all drivers with four wins on the card, drove the winner of $716,935 for trainer Tom Fanning and owner Joseph Smith.
(PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)