Father Nuno, runner-up to Papi Rob Hanover in the 2019 Governor's Cup, made his first start since then a winning one when Harrah’s Philadelphia opened its 2021 racing season on Friday (April 2).
The four-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere and Worldly Treasure, and a full brother to Captaintreacherous, was unhurried early by driver George Napolitano Jr. in the $12,800 finale, moving outside from fourth at the half, grinding closer to pacesetter P L Munson — who set fractions of :27.4, :56.2 and 1:24.2 — and drawing away in the stretch to win by 4-3/4 lengths in 1:53.1. This may be the first start in a redemptive campaign for the royally-bred Father Nuno, who is owned and trained by brothers John and Tom Cancelliere, respectively.
Aside from Father Nuno's first-over victory, the determination of the drivers to get the lead and hold it if at all possible was reflected in the $11,600 co-featured pace, as there were two horses parked past the quarter in a six-horse field. Favoured Rock The Town and driver Anthony Napolitano kept High Impression out in the air in a :27.1 quarter, with JK Musicman maintaining the pocket and Joesstar Of Mia A ducking in off cover past the initial station. Rock The Town kept the lead to the half in :55.2, with High Impression finally getting to the pylons after JK Musicman broke — only to back off badly before the 1:24 three-quarters. Joesstar Of Mia A continued a game pursuit of the leader, but he came up a half-length shy of Rock The Town's 1:52.3 mile.
Two-time Driver of the Year Dexter Dunn won three races on the card, with George Napolitano Jr. and Tim Tetrick, the local 2020 winningest driver and top UDR driver respectively, each winning twice. Trainer Jeff Cullipher was the only conditioner to send out two winning charges.
Harrah’s Philadelphia will not host a live card this Sunday, Easter Sunday, but after that the southeast Pennsylvania track’s “regular schedule” kicks in, with racing on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 12:25 p.m. and Sunday at 12:40 p.m. Program pages will be available at https://www.phha.org/harrahspps.html.
(PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)