Finding the pocket early and riding along the good drafting trip has been a key to success at Harrah’s Philadelphia early in the meet, with almost 40 percent. winners from the two-hole.
That formula helped Terry A Hanover find the winner's circle in the $14,400 pacing feature on Friday (April 8) at the southeast Pennsylvania oval.
A son of Artspeak, Terry A Hanover was hustled away by driver Andy Miller and yielded to Rocknroll Gold, on a three-race win streak but making his first start in five months. Rocknroll Gold hit the quarter in a fast :26.4, backed the half off to :56.2, then sped up to hit the three-quarters in 1:24.3 as favoured Springbridge Duel moved up to battle for the lead.
In the stretch Terry A Hanover responded quickly along the inside and managed to outpace Springbridge Duel by a neck in 1:53.1, a lifetime mark. Todd Schadel trains the winner, successful 13 times in 2021 as one of the kingpins of the PA fair circuit, for owners Christine Schadel and Caitlin Solt.
In a cofeatured $12,600 pace, Corey Callahan sent the Bettors Delight gelding Tuffenuftowearpink to the lead at the quarter, rated the half, then got the pacer to scoot home in :56.1 for an easy victory in a lifetime best 1:54. Bruce Saunders conditions the winner for Bet The House LLC.
The top fast-class pace, worth $11,200, proved an easy task for the Courage Under Fire gelding Benhope Rulz N, who fronted his field every step while tying his mark of 1:52. Andrew McCarthy put everybody in behind his horse with a :26.4 opener, backed off the next quarter, then could not be caught in a :55.4 back half, with the winner of $321,749 triumphing for trainer Darran Cassar and Windemere Stable LLC.
Andrew McCarthy and George Napolitano Jr. each visited the winners circle three times on the sunny Friday afternoon.
Sunday is the next day of action at Harrah’s Philadelphia, with the first of 14 races slotted for 12:40. Sharp distaffs Shezafreaklikeme and Brilliant Beauty are the favourites in the $15,300 lead purse event for distaff pacers, with the $500,000+ winners Lyons Steel and Springsteen handicapped outside in the $13,000 top fast-class pace. Program pages for the Sunday card are available at the PHHA website.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)