A pair of $13,000 features for fast-class pacers topped the offerings on the Sunday afternoon (June 26) card at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
In the event for males, the American Ideal gelding Speedy Dominic A fronted his field throughout fractions of :26.3, :56.2 and 1:22.4 then maintained superiority to the line while stopping the clock in a 1:50.2 in his second start for trainer Jennifer Bongiorno. Simon Allard drove the winner to the two-length score over favoured Jacks Shadow N for M T Stables Ontario Inc.
The distaff division of the feature had seen no fewer than five lead changes during the early fractions of :27.2 and :55.4, but at the midway point, the favoured Odds On Whitney was on top and the second choice Dresden was in second. They stayed that way past the 1:23 three-quarters and all the way to the top of the lane, where the Roll With Joe mare Dresden found a higher gear and overhauled the chalk by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:51.1. Dexter Dunn had the drive for trainer Robert Cleary and Henderson Farms.
Romping victories were the order of the day in the two $9,900 events for the American Harness Drivers Club of amateur racers. In the first, Tony Beltrami went directly to the front with Tidquist and the veteran Conway Hall gelding posted fractions of :28, :57.2 and 1:25.4 en route to an 11-3/4- length victory in 1:55.2. Beltrami guided the winner for owner/trainer John Obert.
In the other section, Todd Whitney left with the RC Royalty gelding Drazzmatazz and sat in the two-hole behind fractions of :27.4 and :56.4 then moved to the lead down the backstretch, hit the three-quarters in 1:26.1 and was clear by 4-1/4 lengths for a 1:56.2 victory. Drazzmatazz won for the second straight week in AHDC competition at Philly for trainer Terry Morgan and Danbry Racing Inc.
Dexter Dunn led all drivers with four victories.
Harrah’s Philadelphia is now racing on a four-day-a-week schedule – Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 12:25 p.m., and Sunday at 12:40 p.m. Next Sunday, Harrah’s Philly will welcome top three-year-old trotting colts in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes and Stallion Series action.
(With files from PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)