The Pennsylvania-sired state program returned to Harrah’s Philadelphia on Wednesday (May 11), with two divisions of Sire Stakes and four divisions of Stallion Series competition for three-year-old trotting fillies.
The Pennsylvania Sire Stakes division worth $67,591 proved the faster of the two, with the Bar Hopping filly Manon rallying gamely into a :27.3 last quarter to upend pacesetter Mon Cheval by a neck in a career-best 1:53.3 for trainer Lucas Wallin and Harbor Racing Stable LLC.
Tim Tetrick hustled Manon to command before the :27.3 opening split; Mon Cheval waited off of that one’s cover then went on up to take the lead in front of the stands, putting up mid-race fractions of :57 and 1:26. The last quarter, especially the stretch fight, was a terrific contest, with Manon able to summon enough from the pocket to defeat her game adversary in just her third lifetime start and second win in her undefeated 2022 season.
In the division worth $67,191, driver Joe Bongiorno got the Andover Hall filly Dreamonhigh quickly to the front. Nearing the :28.3 quarter, favoured Mimi Ocean Hanover, off heroics in Pocono’s Weiss Series, moved up and took over the racetrack before the :57 half. The front two maintained those positions through a 1:26 three-quarters, with A Perfect Helen moving up to challenge.
At head-stretch, the favourite lost her composure and Dreamonhigh shot right up the inside lane, beating out A Perfect Helen by 1-3/4 lengths to take her seasonal debut in 1:54.4. The Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion at two, Dreamonhigh looks ready for another solid campaign for trainer Jennifer Bongiorno and K A T Stables LLC.
In the Stallion Series races, driver Yannick Gingras (in blue and black colours), trainer Domenico Cecere, and sire Cantab Hall had two winners circle visits. Monimovesmountains broke her maiden in her section, stepping home in :57.2 to win in 1:56.2 for Moni Maker Stable, while Ill Have A Lindy, five-for-eight last year, joined her barnmate in making her 2022 bow successful, also coming the last half in :57.2 to win in 1:56 for owners Greathorse.
The other two Stallion Series races saw successful teamings of Philly’s leading driver Tim Tetrick and sire Father Patrick. The fastest of all the Stallion Series races went to Vogue, who moved to the lead early and then also tacked on a :57.2 back half in lowering her mark to 1:55.3 in her first seasonal start for trainer Per Engblom and the partnership of Engblom Stable LLC, Wiesman Farms LLC, Joyce McClelland and R A W Equine Inc.
The other section went to Senorita Paricutin, who brushed to the lead late on the backstretch and went on to fashion a 1:56.3 triumph. Anette Lorentzon trains the filly, who has now won half her 10 career starts, for Anvil & Lace Farm.
“Trottin’ Thursday” at Harrah’s Philadelphia will truly live up to its name, as all 14 races carded are for the diamond-gaited horses. There is a $22,500 handicap feature, with the 13-year-old Meladys Monet, coming off nine straight $100,000+ seasons, going over $2 million lifetime with a victory. Program pages are available on the PHHA website.
(PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)