Thirteen fields of two-year-olds faced the starting gate on Tuesday morning, June 18 at Harrah’s Philadelphia as they continued to prep for their imminent introductions to the pari-mutuel wars. The fastest time in each division, as split by sex and gait, turned out to be achieved by two horses except in the two-year-old colt pace, where Oogleville earned distinction as the fastest performer of the day at 1:56.1.
A Huntsville colt out of Oogle Google, Oogleville moved to the lead in quarter two and stormed home in :55.2 to be an impressive winner for driver Todd McCarthy, trainer Per Engblom and the ownership of Morrison Racing Stables.
Among the filly pacers, both Allegra Hanover and Ballast were victorious in 1:58.1. The Papi Rob Hanover-Arodasi debutante Allegra Hanover closed in :57.2 and :28.2 from the pocket in succeeding for driver Andrew McCarthy, trainer Linda Toscano and partners Jablonsky Held Stable, South Mountain Stables, JAF Racing LLC and Camelot Stable Inc. Andrew also drove the only pacing filly who posted a second winning line, the 2:01.3 winner Crystal Coast. Andrew McCarthy’s brother Todd drove Ballast, a daughter of Tall Dark Stranger-Catamaran Fashion, to an engine triumph with back numbers of :57.3 and :28.3. Andrew Stafford conditions the winner for EVM Racing LLC.
Speed honours for two-year-old trotting fillies were shared at 1:59.2 by In The Air Tonight and Evans Perfect War. The Father Patrick-Moonlight In Miami miss In the Air Tonight, in her first start, sat third much of the way and closed sharply in :56.4 in winning for driver Andy Miller, trainer Julie Miller and Willow Oak Ranch. “Team Orange Crush” is also the braintrust behind another winner at first asking, Duvet, who won in 2:01.4. Evans Per Fect War led off the day with a front-end tally and a back half of :59.1. Todd McCarthy sulkysat behind the daughter of Six Pack- Usainy B for trainer Per Engblom and the partnership of Evans Nation and Engblom Stable LLC.
The two horses who had the fastest time among the trotting colts, Owls Nest and Calculated Concept, did not sacrifice any honours though in the same race, as they dead-heated for the win while each was running their record to two-for-two. The camera could not separate the pair at the end of a 2:00 mile in which Calculated Concept set the pace and Owls Nest was along after a pocket journey for the tie. Owls Nest is a Bar Hopping-Bring Your Best gelding driven and trained by Eddie Dennis for E&K Stable Inc. Calculated Concept is a Tactical Landing colt trained by Dylan Davis for owner Howard Taylor. Calculated Concept was driven by Tim Tetrick, who also guided the dead-heaters’ classmate Out On The Town to a second straight victory, this one in 2:04.
(PHHA/Harrah’s Philadelphia)