Lunar, enjoying a rich vein of form since joining up with trainer Hunter Oakes and owner Carmen Iannacone via claim at the end of March, paced the fastest mile of the season at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday, May 18, winning the $18,055 featured fast-class event in 1:48.4.
Jack Pelling was able to reserve Lunar mid-pack as Hunting Zone (Johnathan Ahle) was hard-used to get the lead in a :26.3 opener. Lunar stayed against the pylons as no outer tier formed as the pacesetter hit the half in a demanding :54.2, then moved uncovered late in the backstretch towards the 1:21 three-quarters. Lunar went right up to challenge the leader and went right by early in the lane, winning by 2-1/2 lengths over the closing odds-on favourite Hellabalou (David Miller), with Oakes trainee Dublin Dasher (Corey Callahan) also moving well late for third, followed by Hunting Zone. The 1:48.4 clocking equalled Lunar’s lifetime best. The seven-year-old Sweet Lou-Crescent City gelding went over the $300,000 earnings mark with his 23rd career win.
A $16,667 pace for younger, developing males provided the setting for the Bettors Wish-Odds On Naples sophomore gelding Odds On Wildfire to take his second straight victory, here in 1:52.2 for driver/trainer/owner Geovany Hernandez. The three-year-old made the top just past the quarter, backed off the half then increased the speed down the backstretch and around the far turn while looking in control. Odds On Wildfire then drifted a bit in both mind and body with just more than an eighth left, but provisional driver Hernandez (only driving since September but already with 27 wins and a 17 per cent strike rate) got the pacer straightened away, and the pair won safely.
In the $15,278 handicap for top-priced claiming pacers, the Heston Blue Chip-Miss Babe Delight gelding Hello Gorgeous was able to ride in the pocket behind a fast pace, then moved out on the final turn, sweeping by handily to win in 1:51.4 for his second straight victory. David Miller drove the Izzy Estrada trainee, who is owned by Estrada Racing.
The pairing of Miller and Estrada matched together the two horsemen who won three races on the program. Miller got his wins for three different trainers, while Estrada’s trio each won for a different sulky-sitter.
One of the Estrada trainees got Anthony Verruso a victory in the $10,417 pace for the American Harness Drivers Club, with 9-2 third choice Coligny Hanover leading pillar to post in 1:52.2.
The draw for the “Super Sunday” card next Sunday, May 25 will be held this coming Wednesday. Philly continues on its standard schedule with Thursday and Friday racing at 12:25 p.m. and Sunday at 12:40 p.m.
(With files from PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia & American Harness Drivers Club)