Mad River kept his perfect 2025 record intact on Sunday, April 13, with a determined victory in the $18,750 handicap pacing feature for developing horses at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Driver Andrew McCarthy settled the three-year-old Sweet Lou–Reckless Fool colt in fourth early before launching a first-over move past a :27 opening quarter. He seized command by the :55.2 half and remained in control through a 1:23.1 three-quarters. Though he showed signs of fatigue late, Mad River had enough left to hold off a persistent Discovery (George Napolitano Jr.) by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:53. The North America Cup-eligible colt is trained by Per Engblom and owned by Daniel Sarafian of Unionville, Ont.
Engblom also sent out a winner in one of the $16,667 sub-feature pacing events, as Access Granted delivered a sharp effort in the distaff division. The Captain Crunch–Authorize mare, driven by Tim Tetrick, followed a similar trip to that of Mad River, brushing from mid-pack in the second quarter to take control and pacing home to win by three lengths in 1:54.3. She is owned by Morrison Racing Stables.
The co-featured split for male pacers saw another Captain Crunch product, T H Tyson, unleash an impressive comeback performance. Making his first start in 345 days, the four-year-old gelding rallied from last at the half with a powerful sustained move, hitting the front in mid-stretch and drawing clear to score in 1:52.4. T H Tyson, a stakes cheque-getter at two but lightly raced at three, is trained by Chris Ryder and driven by his son Patrick Ryder. He is owned by the patient partnership of Mac Nichol, FAC Racing LLC, Robert Mondillo, and Carl Sackheim.
Tim Tetrick, the four-time defending driving champ at Philly, led all drivers on the card with three wins. Doubles went to Andrew McCarthy, David Miller, George Napolitano Jr., and trainers Per Engblom and Shaun Vallee.
Live racing resumes at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Thursday, April 17, at 12:25 p.m. with the return of the popular “Trottin’ Thursday” card. Headlining the $15,000 USD trotting feature is Resolve To Win, who has been installed as the early favourite. The track will also race Friday at 12:25 p.m. before going dark on Easter Sunday.
(With files from PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)