Younger horses working their way up the condition ladder were gathered for three $14,000 divisions of feature race action at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon (June 12), with all three winners achieving lifetime marks.
In the first event, the A Rocknroll Dance sophomore gelding Dont Judge A Book got early position just off an argued pace before rallying up the inside in the stretch to win in 1:52. The winner of four out of seven starts this year defeated Costello by 1-1/2 lengths for driver George Napolitano Jr., trainer Tom Cancelliere and owner John Cancelliere.
The second contest saw Chaser Hanover go to the lead and get a relatively soft :57 half, but in a :54.3 dash home, the Bettors Delight gelding Stand By Me N gamely wore down the pacesetter from the pocket to post a neck triumph for driver Andrew McCarthy in 1:51.3. Stand By Me N has now won three of five starts Stateside for trainer Joshua Parker and J G Racing Stable.
In the third division, 1-9 favourite Brassy Hanover broke on the far turn when challenged by the Well Said gelding Live Like A Boss, who charged right by to triumph in 1:52.3 for driver Dexter Dunn and trainer-owner Chris Ryder. Over $6,400 of a $7,300 show pool was lost on the breaking favourite, with the $24.60 winner paying $22.80 to show, and long shot Union Station returning $65.40 in the show slot after holding third.
David Miller had four wins on the day to lead the driving colony.
(PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)