The $150,000 Maxie Lee Memorial Invitational at Harrah's Philadelphia is one of the main pit stops of talented older trotters, and this year is certainly no exception.
This year's race is highlighted by Triple Crown winner and 2017 Aged Trotter of the Year Marion Marauder. The five-year-old son of Muscle Hill was impressive on seasonal debut over the suburban Philly oval, stopping the clock in 1:52.1 in a Great Northeast Series event. The Paula Wellwood trainee is up to $2.5 million plus in career earnings, with 15 wins in 39 career starts.
Top contenders include twice millionaire and defending Maxie Lee champion Crazy Wow and Mac Nichol's Will Take Charge.
Crazy Wow, six-year-old son of Crazed, is looking for his second win of the season after coming off of a disappointing fifth-place finish last week in a Great Northeast Series event. He did battle to a :54.1 half mile, before ceding ground the final quarter of a mile. The Ron Burke trainee has 21 wins in 62 career starts.
The Jeff Gillis-trained Will Take Charge has been solid in 10 starts this season, with five resulting in wins, and a near-miss second to Harness Horse of the Year Hannelore Hanover in the Cutler Memorial at the Meadowlands Racetrack. He won last week in a Great Northeast Series event despite breaking at the start.
Two-time Dan Patch Award winner Broadway Donna took care of business in her seasonal debut. The five-year-old daughter of Donato Hanover came off of a pair of good qualifiers against Hannelore Hanover, winning her debut in 1:51.4 in a Preferred Handicap at the Meadowlands. The Jim Campbell trainee is hoping to rebound after a one-win season as a four-year-old.
Other contenders include Blair and Erna Corbeil's Rubber Duck, star Indiana trotter I Know My Chip, Canadian invader Warrawee Roo, and the Andy Miller charge Tuonoblu Rex.
Post Time on Sunday, May 27 at Harrah's Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. (Eastern). Patrons are encouraged to bring the family for a fun-filled afternoon which will include clowns, face painters, balloon animals, and much more. There will be food and beverage specials on the patio.
(Harrah’s Philadelphia)