After setting a stout pace, Machnhope ($4.60) had just enough to determinedly prevail in a three-mare battle to the winning post in Sunday's (July 11) featured $22,500 winners-over distaff pace at Harrah's Philadelphia.
The 6-year-old daughter of Mach Three and Hope For Life used a :27 first quarter to clear for the lead from post 7, and she remained uncontested through splits of :55.3 and 1:23 in line to Andy McCarthy while shaded by pocket rival Major Occasion A. With three-sixteenths to go, Dexter Dunn angled Major Occasion A out of the pocket to engage Machnhope, which enabled Eclipse Me N to claim the pocket and take aim up the open stretch. Despite being surrounded by challengers in the lane, Machnhope found the finish line in time, keeping Eclipse Me N a neck at bay in 1:50.4. Major Occasion A leveled off late but maintained third, while Warrawee Ubeaut — a 21-time winner with earnings approaching $1.8 million — only mustered a fourth-place finish, beaten 2 1/4 lengths, in her 2021 debut.
Trainer Noel Daley co-owns Machnhope, a 34-time winner with over $591,000 in career earnings, with Deo Volente Farms, Thomas Pontone and the L A Express Stable.
McCarthy and Tim Tetrick led all drivers with three wins apiece on the 14-race program.
Live racing at Harrah's Philadelphia resumes Wednesday (July 14) with a 14-race card and a $2,185.13 carryover in the first Super Hi-5 of the day, which occurs in race three. First post is 12:25 p.m. (EDT).
(Harrah's Philadelphia)