Harrah’s Philadelphia’s first pari-mutuel race of 2019 for two-year-olds took place Wednesday afternoon (June 19), and it promptly equalled the North American season’s mark for juveniles over a five-eighths-mile track.
The $13,000 contest for male pacers was won by Adriano Hanover in 1:54.4, which equalled the North American season’s record for two-year-olds, which was achieved by two colts (Major Betts, All Hands On Deck) at Philly during Tuesday’s qualifying races.
Adriano Hanover did not have an easy trip. He tucked into fourth for driver Tim Tetrick and then had to proceed first-over against the favoured pacesetter Southwind Dredge. Although he had his work cut out for him, Adriano Hanover showed real talent while coming home in identical :27.2 back quarters to finish one length ahead of the favourite.
Adriano Hanover is a son of Western Ideal out of A And Gsconfusion, a two-year-old world record setter and winner of almost $1.5 million. Jim King Jr. trains Adriano Hanover for Jo Ann Looney-King and Joseph Palermo III.
A second two-year-old pacing colt won during the program. Trainer Chris Oakes had entered the freshman Hunter Hill in against older horses in a ‘4YO and under NW1 race’ condition, and the colt came from ten lengths behind at the three-quarters under the cool handling of Tim Tetrick to win in 1:55.
Hunter Hill defeated Keystone Maxim by a neck and closed things off with a :27.3 final quarter. The Somebeachsomewhere colt out of Ali Blue, whose granddam produced millionaire Fashion Delight, was within a fifth of the season’s record while winning for the ownership group of Northfork Racing Stable, John Craig and breeder Tom Hill.
Additionally, Ghost Pine could not be caught in the afternoon’s $14,500 featured pace, which he won in 1:50.3.
(With files from PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)