French Wine, the career winner of $1.3 million who was second in the Hambletonian Maturity beaten a neck by Chapercraz in his last start 10 months ago, continued on the comeback trail with a second straight victory during the Tuesday, May 20 qualifying action at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Driver Andy Miller sent French Wine right to the lead and ticked off splits of :29.1, :58, 1:26.1 and 1:55.2 after a 1:55 qualifying victory seven days previously. Julie Miller trains the five-year-old son of Bar Hopping-Creamy Mimi for Andy Miller Stable Inc., Daniel & Jean-Christophe Plouffe and One Legend Stable Inc.
Justin Morrison, 35, won in the sulky (according to United States Trotting Association records) for the first time in limited driving opportunities with Matchmaker contestant Millwood Bliss N in 1:55.3 for trainer Nifty Norman, then decided that the thrill was so nice he did it twice, notching a second win during the morning session with Justasec N in 1:57.2 for trainer Josue Garcia.
The Lucas Wallin Stable continues its torrid run with three-year-old trotters, scoring with the Walner-Check Me Out colt The Rogue Prince in 1:59.3 and the Muscle Hill-Big Barb filly Titian in 2:00, both driven by Wallin. And going to the other side of the experience spectrum, the 12-year-old Im Some Graduate, the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Consolation champion at two, showed he’s still going well 10 years later with a 1:56 triumph.
(With files from PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia; photo of French Wine from a previous win at Harrah's Philadelphia)