Two-year-olds continued their education into the racing wars on Tuesday morning, June 25 at Harrah’s Philadelphia, with 10 events for babies held. Driver Tim Tetrick had a big hand in the proceedings as he won six times, with half of those winners trained by Scott Di Domenico.
The quickest of the Team Tetrick / Di Domenico males was Nikola J, a Tall Dark Stranger colt out of Ideal Newton, who had a smashing mile of 1:56.2 in his first start. Coming from third at the half, Nikola J streaked home in :56 and :27.1 in winning for Oompa’s Farm Inc. and Joseph Barbera.
The same connections and Vincent Barbera combined with Currys Flurry (Papi Rob Hanover-Alll Cool Hanover), now a two-time winner after a 1:58.4 mile with a :28.1 final frame.
Among the filly pacers, it was Tetrick / Di Domenico / Oompa’s Farm / Barbera again with the fastest performer, the Captaintreacherous- Sammys Magic Girl distaff Sammy Jo Hanover, who blitzed home in :56.1 and :27.3 to stop the timer in 1:57.1 for her second success.
The fastest of the freshman trotters was the Walner-Southern Senorita filly Admiring, who won her debut in 2:00.3. Sitting third at the half, Admiring powered home in :57.4 and :28.3 to take the decision for driver Simon Allard, trainer Nifty Norman and owners Tony Holmes and June Zent.
Their colt counterparts were headed by Dive Bar Hanover, a Bar Hopping gelding out of Deli Massive. Dive Bar Hanover fronted his field throughout in 2:02.1, with identical :30 back end quarters in making his first start successful for Tetrick, trainer Kevin Lare and owner Frank Chick.
(With files from PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)