The Mach Three gelding Gonnahaveonemore, five lengths behind a loose pacesetter at the three-quarters, lived up to the determination in his name, notching his third-straight win by taking Monday’s (May 31) $14,400 pacing feature at Harrah’s Philadelphia in 1:52.2.
It was Rockin Rocko who was rockin’ on the lead in :27.1, :55.1 and 1:22.4 with Gonnahaveonemore third, then circling the tired pocketsitter to get to the two-hole on the turn. The winner and driver George Napolitano Jr. never gave up hope, catching the tiring pacesetter by a half length for trainer Gilbert Garcia-Owen and the partnership of Gilbert Garcia-Herrera and Barbara Arnstine – the same ownership team behind feature winner Crazy Cute at Pocono yesterday.
There were a pair of $13,000 paces for fast-class seasoned horses, and in the division for males it was San Domino A who would not be caught. The Somebeachsomewhere gelding set fractions of :26, :55, and 1:22 in progress to a 1:49.3 win for Napolitano, trainer Andrew Harris, and the team of Joe P Racing LLC and Oldford Racing LLC.
In the event for distaffs, Napolitano completed a sweep of the Memorial Day features, again partnering with the Garcia family as Dance Club used the passing lane to rally for a 1:52.2 win for trainer Gilbert Garcia-Owen and owner Gilbert Garcia-Herrera (who is also Pocono’s leading trainer). The daughter of A Rocknroll Dance has now won three of her last five starts.
In all, George Napolitano Jr. had four wins on the card, while Doug McNair (reported to be heading back to Canada midweek) came home first three times.
The two-year-old trotters make their debut tomorrow morning during Philly’s Tuesday (June 1) morning qualifiers. Eight of them are entered and split over two divisions, with trainer Clifton Green sending out five of the eight babies in their first racetrack competition. Also on the morning qualifier card are the talented Luc Blais-trained threesome of Donna Soprano, Macho Martini, and My Abigail.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)