The well-traveled Ritson, having already gone from Woodbine to Pocono to Rideau Carleton since the first of May, came to Harrah’s Philadelphia Thursday (June 27) afternoon and overhauled the entire field in the stretch to take the $17,808 featured trot in 1:53.3.
Tim Tetrick, top horseman on the day with four wins, got away last from the outside post six with the winning son of Cantab Hall, and they had the best view much of the way while College Tuition set fractions of :26.4, :56.2, and 1:24.4. Ritson followed the cover of second-over Toccoa Falls three-wide on the far turn and then went wider for the drive, with his late kick getting him home just a nose ahead of Toccoa Falls; favoured Yanks Dugout had to settle for third from the pocket, with College Tuition fourth.
Ritson boosted his career earnings to $329,122 with the strong-closing score. He is trained by Mark Steacy, who co-owns him with Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc., Dale Larson, and Stephen Downey.
There were a pair of subfeatures for the fast-class set on the “Trottin’ Thursday” card. A contest going for $15,069 saw the Lucky Chucky gelding Lucky Weekend sit inside until early stretch, then find room to angle wide and just catch grinder Rivers in 1:54.3 for driver Todd McCarthy, trainer George Lange, and owner Scott Brockwell. In the $13,699 class, the Trixton gelding No Drama Please got up the inside to catch pacesetting favorite Helpoftheseason in 1:55 for driver David Miller, trainer Tom Fanning, and owner Joseph Smith.
Two-year-old pacers got their turn in the spotlight, contesting $15,411 events for each sex. The division for males produced a $60.60 upset by the Bettor’s Wish – Heavenly Bride colt Wedlock Blue Chip, who didn’t look like a pari-mutuel debutant on the racetrack, taking the lead early and then storming home in :55.4 - :27 to complete a 1:55.1 victory, 1-1/2 lengths to the good of favored TH Colby. Troy Beyer drove the impressive colt for trainer Polie Mallar of Ken Hanover fame and owners Richard Cortese and Donald Hawk.
The female freshmen were headed by Lyonsanitasangel, who made a fast dash just past the half for the lead while coming her own last half in :55.4 to complete a 1:55.1 victory in her first purse start. Corey Callahan had the lines behind the daughter of Captaintreacherous – Linda Lace Hanover for trainer Jim King Jr. and Threelyonsracing.
Racing continues at Philly Friday (June 28) at 12:25 p.m.; there will be a carryover of $1954.17 on the Pick-4 wager beginning with the first race. On Sunday’s (June 30) 12:40 p.m. card, Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action for sophomore pacing fillies will be featured, with the headline division finding My Girl EJ and Geocentric again squaring off in what has been a fierce rivalry last season into this one.
(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia; photo from a previous win on March 6)