After tasting defeat in his first two races of 2020, Our Max Phactor N ($8.40) put it all together in Sunday's (June 28) featured event at Harrah's Philadelphia, a $14,400 top-level conditioned pace.
While the eight-year-old Art Major gelding employed similar tactics as he did in a narrow defeat to Prairie Panther at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on June 20, the outcome proved far more favourable. George Napolitano Jr. used Our Max Phactor N early from post 5 to secure the pocket behind 12-1 pacesetter Imarocnrollegend N. Napolitano Jr. was content to draft behind stout early splits of :26.3 and :54.4 before angling out of the pocket on the backstretch. Our Max Phactor N worked to the lead with five-sixteenths to go, pressed on to a widening advantage past three-quarters in 1:21.3 and braced for a late push from odds-on favorite Dealt A Winner off the final turn.
Straightening for home, Our Max Phactor N had built a two-length lead, but Dealt A Winner lifted boldly off cover and closed stoutly in the final sixteenth. Our Max Phactor N responded to the challenge, prevailing over Dealt A Winner by a diminishing half length in 1:50.1. Love Me Some Lou finished third, two-and-a-quarter lengths farther back, after leveling off at head-stretch.
Trainer Andrew Harris co-owns 26-time winner Our Max Phactor N with Michael Goldberg Racing LLC, Bruce Areman and the Prem Dan Stable.
Trainer Ron Burke scored a hat trick on the 14-race card, sending Seeing Eye Single ($4.80, 1:52.2), Mayfield Duke ($9.00, 1:52.4) and Larry Karr ($3.00, 1:50.3) to victory. Yannick Gingras drove all three.
David Miller earned top honours among drivers with four winners on the program.
Live racing returns to Harrah's Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon (July 1), with Pennsylvania Sire Stakes and Stallion Series action for 2-year-old pacing fillies headlining the 14-race program. First post is 12:25 p.m. (EDT).
(Harrah's Philadelphia)