The Airzoom Lindy mare Morairtime opened a big lead fairly early in the $14,400 featured trot Thursday afternoon at Harrah’s Philadelphia, then held on to virtually all of that lead through the wire while taking a lifetime mark of 1:52.3.
Jack Parker, Jr., driving for trainer Carol Jamieson-Parker and owner James Moore III, zoomed away from the gate with Morairtime, putting up fractions of :27.1, :55.4, and 1:23.3, with pocket sitter Home N Dry not able to stay tight and other contenders having to hustle from far back. The sulky style of Parker and his father Jack, Sr., seen many a time in Delaware Valley racing over the last half-century, was shown both in the front wheeling tactics and in the “high-rein” urging to the wire, as Morairtime beat the two-holer home by 3-1/2 lengths.
The Andover Hall gelding Grapple Hanover, a candidate for “Most Improved Trotter” in the early meet at Philly, was given a fine drive by David Miller and won the $13,600 co-featured trot in 1:54.4.
Miller got away third in a :27.3 opener as Captain Krupnik went up to take the lead from Macmorris Hanover, then maintained his position to the :57 half as Crossfit came out to provide cover for favoured Strip It Down AS. The chalk made a break going down the backstretch, however, and Miller steered his charge out to the second-over spot by the 1:25.3 three-quarters. Captain Krupnik and Macmorris Hanover had tired themselves with their early battle, so Crossfit proved the major danger to the winner, but Grapple Hanover’s strong closing kick put him 2-1/2 lengths clear of that one in 1:54.4.
Trained by Bucky Angle for owners Howard and Joshua Kauffman, Grapple Hanover had been a steady performer at the Pennsylvania fairs at two and three and a useful overnight horse at four, but this year he has added extra speed to his former forte of consistency, and may be headed to higher company soon.
George Napolitano, Jr. had four wins on the Thursday card, one ahead of David Miller and Tim Tetrick.
(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)