Dr Js Kiss, knocking on the door with second-place finishes in her last two starts, sprung an 11-1 upset in the $17,000 featured pace for mares Wednesday afternoon (May 23) at Harrah’s Philadelphia, stopping the timer in 1:52.3.
David Miller looked to have the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere in good position, second-over behind favourite Obvious Blue Chip. By mid-backstretch, however, it was apparent that the chalk would not have enough in her seasonal bow, forcing Miller to send his filly three-wide to reach two-wide uncovered status by the far turn. Through the stretch, Dr Js Kiss proved the strongest, winning by three-quarters of a length over pocket-sitting Windy Sport, a 66-1 proposition who came up the inside to nip pacesetting Moments Of Joy for the runner-up spot.
A five-time winner in thirteen seasonal starts last year, Dr Js Kiss needed until this, her tenth start of 2018, to finally break through to Victory Lane. Trainer Joe Pavia Jr. co-owns the winner with Steven Held and the namesake inspiration of the horse, Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky.
David Miller had four driving wins on the Wednesday card, and the father-son trainer-driver combination of Erv and Marcus Miller teamed for three victories.
(PHHA/Harrah’s Philadelphia)