Yucatan Party Man took advantages of several "breaks" during the $14,400 trotting feature Wednesday afternoon (July 13) at Harrah’s Philadelphia to post a lifetime-best 1:53.4 mile.
The first break Yucatan Party Man got was from behind-the-gate right-hand neighbor Chulo the favourite who made a misstep shortly past the start. Andrew McCarthy got Yucatan Party Man right to command well before the :27.2 quarter, and the pair then got their second “break” – a breather on the lead, with the half in :57.
Yucatan Party Man was in charge from there, getting to the three-quarters in 1:25, and stayed safe the rest of the way. Andrew’s brother Todd narrowed in with second-choice Design Fashion, but could only get to within 2-1/4 lengths. Trainer Noel Daley, also co-owner with Marika Tommola, had the winner – a four-year-old Credit Winner gelding – ready after 19 days away from the races.
There were three $12,600 co-featured events, one for trotters and one for each sex of pacers. Outwit Outrun appears to be getting the hang of the game now with his fourth win in his last six starts, taking the section for pacing males in a lifetime best 1:51.4. The sophomore Captaintreacherous gelding was sent to the front by driver Simon Allard, rated the half, then sped home in :55.2 to hold off pocket-sitter Caviart Scout by three-quarters of a length for trainer Mark Silva and All Star Racing Inc.
In the distaff pace, the Western Shore sophomore miss I Forbid You played give and go with Reenactment past a :28.2 quarter, reached the middle splits in :57.3 and 1:26.1, then kicked home in :28.1 to hold Reenactment safe by a neck at the end of the 1:54.2 mile under Corey Callahan’s guidance. The filly, sponsored by Team Cancelliere (trainer Tom, owner John), has now won two straight and still has room to become even better based on recent form.
The Andover Hall sophomore miss Newell Place is developing into a solid closer, coming from third-over to run down By The Book, who had moved up steadily first over, by 1-3/4 lengths while lowering her mark to 1:54.4 in the trotting co-feature. Troy Beyer got the driving call from trainer John Calabrese and the Calabrese Farms LLC, and he steered her expertly into a position from which to win as she came her own back half in :56.2.
Simon Allard and Todd McCarthy each had three winners during the Wednesday card.
The Thursday feature at Harrah’s Philadelphia is a $15,300 trot for developing horses, with Star Razor and Cash Machine Girl appearing to be the two who will take the most cash from the betting public. Program pages are available at the PHHA website.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)