Hemsworth N and Mad Max Hanover were assigned the two outermost posts in the $20,833 fast-class handicap pace on Sunday, May 4, at Harrah’s Philadelphia. They validated the Race Office’s judgment, with Hemsworth N narrowly holding off Mad Max Hanover in a thrilling finish.
Hemsworth N bolted away quickly for driver Dexter Dunn and had cleared to command by the midpoint of the first turn. Mad Max Hanover didn’t show the same early speed and couldn’t find a hole, forcing him to grind it out uncovered while Hemsworth N, the Sweet Lou–In Hollywood gelding, carved out fractions of :26.2, :54.4, and 1:22.4.
Despite never seeing a pylon, Mad Max Hanover, the 4-5 favourite, fought valiantly and launched a fierce late bid in the stretch. At midstretch, the 7-2 second favourite Hemsworth N appeared to have repelled the challenge, but Mad Max Hanover surged again, actually poking his nose in front just after the wire.
But the day and the win belonged to Hemsworth N, who prevailed by a head in 1:50.4 over a “good” track. The Jared Bako trainee is owned by 1362313 Ontario LTD. (For those curious, these “numbered companies” are a legal corporate structure in Canada, with identification numbers assigned by Corporations Canada. They must be registered in their home province and may do business publicly under a different name.)
Sunday’s card also featured two events for talented developing male pacers, worth $19,444 and $18,750, respectively.
In the higher-level split, Zeppole Hanover, a Stay Hungry–Zellweger Bluechip gelding, was parked to the three-eighths before clearing, then dug in gamely to fend off a strong bid from Dublin Dasher in 1:51.1. Dexter Dunn again had the lines, this time for trainer Andrew Harris, who co-owns with William Pollock and Bruce Areman.
In the other division, Toreador GB (Matador Hall–Lady Claires Best) worked out a perfect pocket trip, angled out at the head of the lane, and held off a late lunge from Captain Marvel to score by a neck in 1:52.3. Robert Cleary trains for L P F Racing.
Racing resumes at Philly on Thursday, May 8, with a 12:25 p.m. first post. A well-matched field of talented fast-class trotters will be featured in a $15,000 USD handicap contest. Some of these veterans may be racing here on May 26 in the Maxie Lee Trot, one of three $100,000 USD Invitationals on Harrah’s traditional “Super Sunday” card on Memorial Day weekend.
(With files from PHHA/Harrah’s Philadelphia)