The Fabulous Wood colt Top Leader S made two moves in the $14,400 trotting feature at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon, yet still was a winner in a career-best 1:54.1.
Trainer/driver Åke Svanstedt left with Top Leader S between horses to get to the top before a :27.2 quarter, then let Count The Coin claim command and take the field over to the half in :57. Svanstedt came back out again as the field approached the backstretch, wasted little time in establishing a clear lead before the 1:25 three-quarters, then was coasting late when Maiden Voyage made an eye-catching stretch move to finish only a length behind. Suleyman Yuksel Stables Inc. and Goran Falk share ownership of the promising sophomore winner.
A rare piece of horsemanship was on display in the very next race after the feature, as 68-year-old H. Nelson Baitzel III sent out the winner Chocolate Matters – the very first horse he has ever started as a trainer! His career training victories now match his career driving victories, as while driving between 1984 and 1986, he recorded one sulky success – and then came a training victory 37 years later.
Simon Allard drove five winners on the Wednesday card at Philly.
Racing will continue on Thursday and Friday at 12:25 p.m. before “Super Sunday,” the giant card Harrah’s will host on Sunday at 12:40 p.m., featuring three $100,000 Invitationals and Pennsylvania-sired action for three-year-old pacing colts. Program pages for all Philly cards, including the Super Sunday program, will be available on the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen's Association website.
(PHHA/Harrah’s Philadelphia)