Sophomore filly Staying At Tonys produced a string of "1s" on her chart line in Friday’s featured $16,438 conditioned pace for females at Harrah’s Philadelphia, including a “1” at the most important call, the finish, where the even-money favourite led the 3-2 second choice Shes A Rich Girl by a neck in 1:53.2.
Driver Andrew McCarthy, in a cameo appearance, never relinquished control after starting from the pole with the winner, getting Shes A Rich Girl (Joe Bongiorno), the only other fast starter, to accept the two-hole in moderate early fractions of :28.4 and :58.1. The price of pacing went up to the three-quarters in 1:25.3, but Staying At Tonys still had enough in the tank to hold off the potential pocket rocket for trainer Tony Alagna, whose Alagna Racing LLC co-owns the homebred with Brad Grant of Milton, Ont. The Stay Hungry-Evelix AM filly, who made all of her freshman starts in Kentucky and won a Sire Stakes division at Cumberland Run, started her sophomore season with a second-place finish in the Pennsylvania Stallion Series at Philly one week prior to her victory here.
The four-year-old JK Endofanera-Bye Hanover mare Heart Song had all the right answers to win the $$13,699 fast-class handicap pace for females in 1:52.3. Driver Troy Beyer and Heart Song were three-wide fully to a :26.3 opening quarter before getting the lead, then went on to post middle fractions of :55.3 and 1:23.3 before reaching the wire 1-1/4 lengths ahead of pocket-sitting Cheesey Lady (Simon Allard) for trainer/owner Josue Garcia.
Trainer Chuck Crissman Jr., on a hot streak since recently starting to bring horses from Delaware to Philly, had the day’s only training double, but a good number of drivers got an extra credit for their sulky successes. Simon Allard had three winners, and victorious twice were Mark Herschberger, Joe Bongiorno and Troy Beyer, as they solidified spots two through five, respectively, behind meet leader Tim Tetrick.
Also deserving an additional plaudit was Beyer, who won with Rocknroll Caroline, paying $86 and bringing the tally in the Philly 2026 $50+ Winners Derby to Beyer three, The Rest Of The World two.
Driver Marcus Niklasson, a 33-year-old native of Sweden, posted his first victory in the United States behind the Lucas Wallin-trained three-year-old trotting gelding Drambuie Hanover in 1:58.4.
Where to start in describing the many Mothers Day activities to be held during Sunday’s 12:40 p.m. card? Barbeque and other food and drink specials will be available in the Beer Garden, family fun will abound, with face painters and other artists being joined by an Elvis impersonator. And for the bettors, there will be plenty of high-class action for male pacers, in addition to carryovers into the first race Pick 4 and the seventh race Pick 3. UFC lightweight star Charles Oliveira, after missing a nose in his North America sulky debut at Pocono on Tuesday, is listed for five catch-drives during the card.
(With files from PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)