Driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Scott Di Domenico combined for a sweep of the fast-class pacing features over a “sloppy” Harrah’s Philadelphia course on Sunday afternoon, May 5.
In the $17,808 top-line event, the Shadow Play gelding Jacks Shadow N went right to the lead and proved uncatchable by his opponents, putting up fractions of :27.1, :56 and 1:24 before speeding home in :27 to keep pocket-sitter Belmont Shadow N a half-length behind to the wire in 1:51. The winner of $390,155 is owned by Triple D Stables Inc., Oompa’s Farm Inc., and Robert Mondillo.
Two races earlier, Tetrick tucked third early with the Somebeachsomewhere gelding Adam Crocker A, then moved to the lead past the :27.1 quarter, put up mid-splits of :55.2 and 1:23.2, then kept first-over Dean B Hanover at bay by 1-1/4 lengths to take the $15,068 fast-class sub-feature pace in 1:51.3. Dominic Pinto owns the winner of three straight.
There was a pair of $16,438 contests for horses looking to climb the class ladder. In the trotting event, the Muscle Hill colt Pirates Loot, a $220,000 yearling, kept earning some of that loot back with a 1:57.2 victory, remaining undefeated after three seasonal starts for the Melander brothers -- driver Mattias and trainer Marcus -- and owner S R F Stable.
The roan Huntsville colt Taranaki gives a singular experience to the eyes on the racetrack, and people are noticing him even more after he ran his 2024 record to two-for-two with a 1:52.2 success for trainer Paul Jessop, also co-owner with Laurie Molnar, in the companion pacing event. Takanaki has now created special moments for his drivers of the last two weeks: last week, he gave Ross Wolfenden a win in that driver’s first excursion outside his Delaware base in three years, and today, he provided Mark Herschberger his first-ever triumph over the Philly oval.
An hour later, Herschberger won again, tying him for the day’s sulky honours with Tetrick, George Napolitano Jr., and Todd McCarthy. The last-named remains tied with Tetrick atop the Philly driver standings with 21 successes. Di Domenico had the card’s only training double.
Racing resumes at Philly on Thursday at 12:25 p.m., with Chake bidding for his second straight success in the featured trot.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)