North American season’s records were reported for both sexes of two-year-old pacers Tuesday morning (June 18) at Harrah’s Philadelphia, as 15 qualifying races were held.
In four pacing colt sections, two youngsters became the first to win under 1:55 on a five-eighths-mile track this season. First up was Major Betts, a son of Art Major out of Southwind Johanne, whose own mother Juliets Fate, when mated with Art Major, produced $600G+ champion Southwind Jazmin. Major Betts, in his debut, rallied from four lengths out at the three-quarters to win in 1:54.4 (with back fractions of :55.4 – :27.3) for driver Dexter Dunn. Trainer Mark Harder co-owns the youngster with Joseph Jannuzelli and Deena Rachel Frost.
The 1:54.4 clocking was equalled 26 minutes later by the Captaintreacherous – All Tucked Up colt All Hands On Deck, who rallied from the pocket with big closing speed (:55 - :27). Corey Callahan guided the baby for trainer Sam DePinto and owners Shannon DePinto and Peter Rizzi.
The fastest of six races for pacing fillies was recorded in 1:55.2, a time achieved by the American Ideal – Taxi Fare Hanover miss Fashion Hill, who is a full sister to the developing star Turbo Hill. Fashion Hill and driver Andrew McCarthy raced on the engine and finished strong (:56.4 - :27.4) for trainer Robert Cleary and owner/breeder Tom Hill.
Two pacing fillies chalked up their second wins: Bolt Of Beauty, by Bolt The Duer – Natural Luck, who took a new mark of 1:56.1 for driver Marcus and trainer Erv Miller; and So Rude, a daughter of So Surreal – I Am A Snob who was guided to victory in 1:58.3 by driver Tim Tetrick for trainer Scott Di Domenico.
Quickest of the three trotting distaff sections fell to Keystone Candace, who led throughout her 1:59.1 win (:58.2 - :29) and took a new mark. The daughter of Andover Hall – Caitir, whose dam is a half-sister to the $2.5M-winning Wesgate Crown, reunited driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Scott Di Domenico in the winner’s circle for owners Triple D Stables Inc. and RBH Ventures Inc.
The faster of two qualifying sections for trotting males went to the three-quarter brother of undefeated Millies Possesion, Authentic Fashion, in a life’s best 2:02. The son of Donato Hanover-Fashion Athena, a Fashion Farms LLC-owned homebred, showed the poise of a veteran for driver Dexter Dunn and trainer Jim Campbell, as he cut the half and got shuffled to fourth, before rallying with a :29.1 final quarter for a going-away win.
Tim Tetrick topped the driving colony Tuesday morning with four wins during the session. Scott Di Domenico conditioned three victorious juveniles to lead all trainers.
(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)