The Well Said gelding Meet The Creeper felt pocketsitter Tuggin On My Heart creeping up on him in the stretch, but he had a :27.2 final quarter in store over a sodden Harrah’s Philadelphia oval to win the $14,400 pacing feature on Friday (May 6) in 1:54.4.
Todd McCarthy left well from the rail with the Stacy Chiodo trainee, let Tuggin On My Heart go by early, then was on the move near the :28.4 quarter and took command. There were no major challenges through middle fractions of :58.2 and 1:27.2, but Meet The Creeper had to be prepared for a strong stretch charge from the pocketsitter, whom he defeated by a length for Chiodo Racing LLC.
Five drivers posted two victories today – the brother team of Andrew and Todd McCarthy, Hall of Famer David Miller, and the father-son team of Andy and Tyler Miller. But outdoing all of them was trainer Julie Miller, Andy’s wife and Tyler’s mother, who harnessed three successful charges Friday.
Harrah’s Philadelphia will be featuring a live card on Derby Day Saturday, starting at 12:40; the next day, the $22,500 featured handicap pace contains such notables as J M Mandamin and Joesstar Of Mia A on a program which also starts at 12:40. Beginning this coming Wednesday, Harrah’s will be going to its basic four-card-a-week schedule of racing on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 12:25 and Sunday at 12:40. Program pages are or will be available at the PHHA website.
(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)