Infinity Stone has now won three starts in a row after capturing the $15,300 featured trot on Wednesday afternoon at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
The gelded son of Il Sogno Dream was sent right to command by Yannick Gingras, and the pair strung the field out through fractions of :28.1, :57.2, and 1:25.3; another :28.1 quarter was more than enough to leave AP Hall Of Trix 1-1/2 lengths behind at the end of the 1:53.4 mile for trainer Per Engblom. Gingras co-owns the developing trotter with Frank Canzone.
Infinity Stone had a victory here on May 5 in 1:52.4, which has held up as the fastest trotting mile of the year at Harrah’s Philly. Whether that time will stand the onslaught of the top Invitational trotters coming to town Sunday afternoon for the $100,000 Maxie Lee Trot remains to be seen.
Swan In Motion enjoyed the drop in company from winners-over stock and captured the $13,000 fast-class trot in 1:54.2, one of four winners on the day for driver Corey Callahan. The son of Swan For All put all early challengers in behind during a :28.3 opener, then looked as if he might have an easy time of it after hitting the half in :57.4. But the mare Cindy Michelle, who had tucked fourth, then launched a first-over bid and raced up to the pacesetter, forcing a 1:26.1 three-quarters and holding very well in the lane to be only 1-1/2 lengths behind the winner. Dylan Davis trains the lifetime winner of $551,270 for owner Howard Taylor.
Racing resumes on Friday at 12:25 and after that the $600,000+ Super Sunday card, annually one of the best programs of the local year, will start at 12:40.
In addition to the Maxie Lee Trot mentioned above, there will be the $100,000 Commodore Barry Pace and $100,000 Betsy Ross Pace for distaffs; Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action marking the 2022 debut of freshman pacing filly champion Niki Hill; three $30,000 Open events; and Stallion Series action. In all, there will be 15 races during the Super Sunday card that will delight fans of harness racing and pose interesting challenges to handicappers/bettors.
(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)