Sophomore pacing males with stakes ambitions were in the spotlight on Wednesday (April 24) at Harrah’s Philadelphia, with Just Plain Loco and Love Me Some Lou capturing the co-featured $16,000 conditioned events.
Just Plain Loco proved strong early and strongest late, making two moves to win the first of the $16,000 splits in a lifetime best of 1:53.2. David Miller drove the Well Said gelding for trainer Tom Fanning and owners Paul Lang and Falcon Racing LLC.
In the other featured event, Love Me Some Lou was extended farther than many 1-9 shots are, with a game Annihilation charging at him in back fractions of :55.4 and :27.2. Despite the late pressure, Love Me Some Lou, who finished third in last year's Breeders Crown, won his seasonal debut in 1:52.2. David Miller also drove the Tom Cancelliere-trained Sweet Lou colt for owner John Cancelliere.
On the undercard, a pair of sophomore trotting fillies from the Marcus Melander stable broke maiden. Miss Trixton (Trixton-Possess The Magic) was guided by Yannick Gingras to a 1:55.1 victory for the Order By Stable, and then Matter Of Fact (Explosive Matter-Chips N Caviar) fronted her field in 1:55.2 with Tim Tetrick aboard for Vicky Trotting Inc.
(with files from PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)