World champion Allywag Hanover and Grand Circuit stakes filly Charleston were 1:53.1 winners in their qualifying races on Tuesday morning at Harrah’s Philadelphia for trainer Brett Pelling, while 2021 U.S. Horse Of The Year Test Of Faith was second in her first outing of the year.
Allywag Hanover, the six-year-old Captaintreacherous gelding who upset Bulldog Hanover in 1:46 at The Red Mile and also tied the Philly track record of 1:47.3 last campaign, led through fractions of :27, :58 and 1:25.2 before coming home 1-1/4 lengths ahead of a Pelling-trained North America Cup eligble colt Blue Lou, who won in 1:50.1 at two. Allywag Hanover was driven by Todd McCarthy for Allywag Stable in his first qualifier of the season.
Three-year-old fillies Charleston and My Little Captain repeated their 1-2 finish in a qualifier last week, with the Downbytheseaside miss Charleston winning in 1:53.1 for owners Diamond Creek Racing.
Test Of Faith and David Miller got away second behind the Riggins mare Rigginswind and stayed close on her throughout, winding up 1-3/4 lengths behind in a 1:55.2 mile. Tim Tetrick drove the winning Deshawn Sample trainee.
Tetrick also piloted a nice pair of trotters to victory. Quick Stop, a Tactical Landing sophomore filly who won $285,718 in her freshman campaign, was nine lengths clear in a 1:55.1 qualifier, with a back half in :56.1, for trainer Anette Lorentzon, co-owner with ACL Stuteri AB.
And the $564,093 winner Take All Comers, a five-year-old Creatine gelding, was a pocket rocket into a :27.4 kicker to stop the timer in 1:54 for trainer Jim Campbell and Runthetable Stables.
(With files from PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)