The Trixton mare Caviart Emma trotted right to the front and could not be caught in winning the $15,300 featured event during the “Trottin’ Thursday” card at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Caviart Emma, now a winner of two straight, had no problem with a track surface rated “sloppy +2,” putting up fractions of :28.1, :58 and 1:26.4 en route to a 1:55.4 triumph. Corey Callahan handled the winner, who was 2-1/2 lengths clear of Tequila N Roses at the wire, for trainer Joe Poliseno and owner Ellie Sarama.
A $14,400 co-feature was won by the Johnny William gelding Johnny Ping, giving Callahan victories in both of the day’s headline races. Johnny Ping found room up the inside and was able to catch favoured first-over Mystic by a neck in 1:57.1, just a fifth off his lifetime best, for trainer/driver Bob Shahan.
Callahan’s fellow wearer of yellow and green colours, Tim Tetrick, the winningest driver here in two of the last three years, had five triumphs on the day to become the 2022 leader after this second day of the meet.
Eighteen-year-old driver Bryson Dunning (trend alert: he also has green and yellow colours) got the 2022 “Bombers Club” of longshot winners underway at Philly by guiding Billy Ray Hanover to a $58.80 upset of the fourth race field. Dunning is establishing himself as a youngster to be respected by area bettors – he also had the first big longshot of the year at Pocono, Dirt On My Boots ($67), a month and a day ago.
Harrah’s Philadelphia will be racing a Thursday at 12:25 p.m., Friday at 12:25 p.m., and Sunday at 12:40 p.m. calendar during the month of April, with the one exception coming next Sunday, April 17, when the track will be dark on Easter Sunday. Program pages for all Harrah’s Philadelphia racing will be available on the PHHA website.
(PHHA/Harrah’s Philadelphia)