The two heavy favourites, Moonshiner Hanover and Tight Lines, battled through heavy rain during Harrah’s Philadelphia’s $18,000 featured trot on Thursday afternoon (May 22). It was Moonshiner Hanover that reversed the public’s final opinion by edging his rival by three quarters of a length in 1:53.1.
George Napolitano Jr. got away third from Post 2 with Moonshiner Hanover, who is a son of Andover Hall. Tight Lines and Jeff Gregory had started from the difficult Post 8 and had to tuck into fifth with many ‘leavers’ inside of him.
‘G-Nap’ moved Moonshiner Hanover to the lead in front of the stands before Gregory and Tight Lines came first-over nearing turn two. Tight Lines battled valiantly the rest of the way, but Moonshiner Hanover was able to withstand his determined foe in the lane. Chris Beaver conditions the winner of $583,417, and he also co-owns him with Synerco Ventures Inc. and Bill Manes.
It was the pacer Undertaker who sounded the death knell for the accumulating Jackpot Hi-5 pool, as the 9-1 shot edged out 1-2 favourite Western Dynasty N in the final steps of the fifth race. Following behind were 7-2 second choice BBs Harley, 34-1 shot Skyway Billy, and Vodka Is Terror, the longest shot in the field of nine at 54-1. The 3-2-5-7-8 combination was used on only one 20-cent ticket – whose lucky holder took down a windfall of $35,989.90.
Sunday will feature one of the best cards of the year at Harrah’s Philadelphia, as the $100,000 Betsy Ross Mares Pace, the $100,000 Maxie Lee Trot, and the $100,000 Commodore Barry Pace will bring many of the best Open performers to the riverside oval. The card will also feature a star of the glamour division, Captain Crunch, in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action for three-year-old pacing colts. Six divisions of the PA Stallion Series will headline a special live Memorial Day Monday card. First post for each day will be at 12:40 p.m.
(With files from PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)