Im Out, despite being the first to the top, still was able to later work out driver Tim Tetrick’s preferred second-over journey, winning in 1:55.3 over sloppy going in the $19,444 featured conditioned trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia Thursday, May 22.
There were six lead changes in the race and the Father Patrick-Bundle Of Energy gelding Im Out was the first and sixth leader. There were three successors to his leadership position before the half and Tetrick came back out with the second choice on the backstretch, only to get cover from pocket-pulling favourite Soar Higher. Im Out rode the cover as the chalk gained a small advantage on the turn, tipped wide for the drive, then out-footed home the horse on his bumper, 35-1 shot Archimedes, with Soar Higher lasting for third. Scott Di Domenico trains the winner of two straight for Triple D Stables Inc. and Joseph Faraldo, a winner in amateur driver action at Pocono this past Sunday.
In the $18,750 trotting event for horses just below the feature, the oncoming Muscle Hill-Looking For Zelda gelding Hillookin went two seconds faster, taking a new mark with his 1:53.3 triumph. Trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer let his horse work his way to the lead as the field went under the wire the first time, then maintained control for the remaining circuit of the oval, with Modigliani S edging Herecomesdajudge for the deuce behind the winner, owned by Purple Haze Stables.
The fast-class diamond-gaiters contested a $15,278 event, in which the Trixton-Glow gelding Last Glow moved at the quarter to get the lead at the half; from there, the favourite stayed in command as close second choice On Higher Ground grinded but could not reach the winner. Jack Parker Jr. drives and trains the 1:54.2 winner for owner Charles Groce II.
Fastest of all diagonal-gaiters on the “Trottin’ Thursday” program was the veteran Eurobond, a son of Love You-True Diva who made the lead at the quarter and held sway through the wire in 1:53.1 over the off going. Andrew McCarthy drove the winner of more than $842,000 for trainer Per Engblom and Morrison Racing Stables.
David Miller had four victories on the day to top the drivers colony. Todd McCarthy came home first three times, while brother Andrew McCarthy and Tim Tetrick both had a pair of successes. Tetrick’s two wins put the four-time defending Philly sulk champion on top of the 2025 standings.
The morning line has been announced for the three $100,000 Invitationals highlighting the Super Sunday card at Harrah’s Philadelphia in three days time – and neither defending champion entering was installed in the favourite’s role. U.S. Horse of the Year Twin B Joe Fresh, in her first start of the year, was named second choice in the Betsy Ross Pace behind Aardie B Miki N, five-for-five in the U.S., all in the tough Matchmaker Series.
Two-time Joseph Auger Memorial Pace defending champion Ruthless Hanover drew post eight and is perhaps because of that rated as an outsider; the chalk is Mossdale Ben N, a “male Aardie B Miki N” in that he had four wins and two seconds in the Borgata Series, both at Yonkers Raceway; both won their finals.
Sir Pinocchio, who was the New York Sire Stakes champion and earned more than $876,000 last year, was named a slight favourite for the Maxie Lee Memorial Trot.
The three Invitationals will be joined by Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action, with two-year-old U.S. divisional champion Louprint, two-for-two this year, the headliner among 10 divisions of sophomores between the Sire Stakes and Stallion Series.
Free Philly program pages for Friday’s 12:25 p.m. card and Super Sunday’s 12:40 p.m., 16-race presentation will be available at phha.org.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)