Masseto, despite a tough two-move trip in sub-freezing temperatures, proved the best in the featured $16,667 conditioned trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Friday afternoon, Dec. 5.
Driver Corey Callahan left well with the sophomore gelding, tucking in third, then pulled out midway down the backstretch and grinded the rest of the way without cover. The five-year-old mare, Foxy Joyce (James Kennedy), was right on his back and moving well late, but Masseto, successful now in two of his last three trips behind the gate, showed grit and won by half a length in 1:59.2 for trainer/owner Mike Watson, who along with Dylan George were the only conditioners to have a pair of victories on the card. Three-year-old filly Thelastlioness As (Tim Tetrick) settled for third as the odds-on favourite after leading most of the mile. Masseto, a son of Walner out of Top Expectations, is now three-for-12 this year after only making a pair of qualifying starts as a two-year-old.
In the co-featured $15,278 fast-class handicap for pacing mares, five horses were across the track at the finish, with the widest one, the In The Arsenal-Symphony In Motion three-year-old filly Neils Diamond, closing from last to defeat the competitive group in 1:54.4. Simon Allard followed the flow of cover with the winner of four of her last seven, and over a track not noted for successful closers, she had the most speed late to defeat favoured Odds On Aces Full (Tim Tetrick) right in front of her in the two-wide tier, by a half-length in a race where the top quintet were separated by less than two lengths. Jeffery Smith conditions the sharp sophomore for Joseph Jannuzzelli and Steven and Joseph Williams.
Tim Tetrick and George Napolitano Jr., who are first and second in driving wins here this year and, between them, the dash champion in 18 of the Chester, Pennsylvania track's 19 years (Cat Manzi won the inaugural title) -- were Friday's top winning drivers. Tetrick got home first five times while Napolitano drove three winners on the 15-race program.
Racing resumes at Harrah's Philadelphia on Sunday with a 12:40 p.m. post time.
(With files from PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)