A pair of $16,667 contests for developing younger horses won by Lyons Benz and Greenma topped the Friday afternoon, May 23 card at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
In the pacing headline, restricted to females, Lyons Benz was successful in her second start of 2025, winning in 1:52.3 for trainer Jim King Jr. and owner Threelyonsracing. There was a three-way battle for the early lead, with geometry the deciding factor as Karma (post one) put Beckoning Yankee (post three) and Lyons Benz (post four) in behind her in a :26.4 opener, then went to the half in :55.4 and the three-quarters in 1:24. Four-time defending Philly driving champion Tim Tetrick moved Lyons Benz uncovered before the far turn and the favourite had the most pace late, with Beckoning Yankee coming up the inside to edge Karma, the second choice, for second. Tetrick had also driven the sophomore daughter of Captaintreacherous out of Make Mine Mocha in her only other win -- also at Philly -- last August in Pennsylvania Stallion Series action.
On the trot, after the track had been re-rated from “fast” to “sloppy” due to mid-card rain, the Greenshoe-Ma Was Right sophomore gelding Greenma once again showed his high turn of speed, winning in 1:54.4 for a new mark. Trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer was content to sit third with the winner of three of four local starts as Fave Guy set fractions of :28.3 and :58.2, then increased the tempo to 1:26.3 to the three-quarters just as Greenma started his big bullrush move (his own third quarter in :27.2). Greenma got by the pacesetter midway on the far turn, but then was battling back late, with the margin of victory for the Purple Haze Stables-owned winner a half length.
Tetrick wound up with three wins on the day to double his lead for the season over George Napolitano Jr. from one to two in “The Eternal Philly Battle.” Napolitano guided two winners along with Corey Callahan and Andy Miller.
The next harness racing card at Harrah’s Philadelphia is Super Sunday, beginning at 12:40 p.m., with U.S. Horse of the Year Twin B Joe Fresh back to defend her title in the $100,000 USD Betsy Ross Invitational Pace for mares. Click here for more on the star-studded Super Sunday program.
(With files from PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)