The final bell came just at the right moment for Tyson on Thursday (July 12), as he triumphed in one of two $14,500 featured trots at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Ataboy Hanover stayed clear through the lane and captured the other division easily.
Tyson was the even-money favourite in his division. Despite a difficult tuck-then-first-over journey, it looked like he had thrown the knockout punch heading into the far turn, as he had cleared to the lead and opened up a three and a half-length lead by the stretch call. That being said, the Donato Hanover gelding got weary late. He had to dig down deep to withstand Golden Son, who had led early and taken a shuffle before rushing with a furious late rally. Tyson recorded a neck victory in 1:53.1, which was a lifetime best. Tyson, now a winner of $171,345, is co-owned by trainer Ed Gannon Jr. and driver Yannick Gingras along with Frank Canzone.
Many of the same components of the first division showed up in the second – a 1:53.1 new personal best, and a ‘tuck-then-grind’ move that carried the leader to a three and a half-length lead at the top of the lane. But there was nobody moving well late to threaten the winning Andover Hall gelding. Ataboy Hanover went on to post a three and three-quarter-length win for driver Eric Carlson and trainer Mark Harder, the latter of which co-owns the gelding along with Rick Phillips and Deena Rachel Frost.
(With files from PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)