The rampaging South Beach Star overcame the outermost post in winning the $17,808 fast-class handicap pacing feature in 1:50 on Sunday, June 2 afternoon at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
The victorious Somebeachsomewhere gelding was limbed three- then two-wide past a searing :25.4 opener, but driver David Miller (the only professional driver of the day to have a triple) kept the horse pressing onward to the lead in front of the stands. South Beach Star got a breather to a :55.1 half, sharpened the speed as first-over Camara Moment (Andrew McCarthy) ranged up, and paced home with two :27.2 quarters in holding off the persistent grinder by a length.
South Beach Star, the winner of the Senditin Invitational here on Super Sunday last week, now has three straight wins after opening his year being beaten a neck while second. A career winner of $451,529, the “Star” is trained by Mark Silva for All Star Racing Inc.
The American Harness Drivers Club made its 2024 debut at Philly with two trots and a pace, and driver Newton “Yogi” Sheridan completed the sweep of all three contests.
Both winners of the two trotting AHDC splits were trained by Terry Morgan. Sheridan fronted his field with Lionhead, whom Morgan owns, in a 1:57.2 victory, then rallied from the two-hole with Drazzmatazz to get home first in 1:58.3 for Danbry Racing Inc.
The pace had no shortage of action. With no fewer than five horses in the eight-horse field being four-wide for a portion of the mile, it was the pacesetter, Transfer The Era, who crossed the wire first in 1:56.4. However, Transfer The Era decided to join in the wide action and bore out in the stretch, impeding Rock Idol and Sheridan, with the result that Transfer The Era was placed second behind Rock Idol, who is trained and owned by Dean Eckley.
(PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)