Southwind Banshee ($2.60) was ruthless in the $18,493 feature on “Trottin’ Thursday” at Harrah’s Philadelphia, in control at every fractional pole en route to taking a new mark of 1:53.3.
Tim Tetrick, who furthered his lead in the local driver standings with five firsts, reached the lead with the sophomore daughter of Muscle Hill before the :28 quarter, then negotiated the front half in :57. The fast filly reached the three-quarters in 1:25.3 then widened out on to win by 7-1/4 lengths for trainer and owner Åke Svanstedt. Southwind Banshee earned her fifth career win from a dozen starts.
Tetrick went on to drive four more winners on the 13-race card, including Cheesey Lady ($3.40) for trainer Scott Di Domenico, Silent Symbol ($15) for Joseph Columbo, Pedal On Metal ($3.40) for Anette Lorentzon and Crystal Fashion ($2.40) for Chuck Crissman Jr.
There were a trio of $16,438 sub-features, with the one for fast-class performers won in an upset by another offspring of Muscle Hill, the gelding The Fast Lane ($34.80), who took a new mark of 1:53. The Fast Lane didn’t appear to be in the fast lane much of the way as he gapped in the pocket behind favoured Kierkegaard K’s fast fractions of :27.2, :55.1 and 1:23.1. But the winner drew closer as Outside The Fire moved up, backed out behind that one as the challenger started to wear down the pacesetter, then swung wide to win by 1-1/4 lengths. Tony Morgan drove the winner for trainer Tim Crissman and owner Elanor Laws.
The other pair of $16,438 events were for developing horses, with trainer Nancy Takter in charge of both winners. The Chapter Seven sophomore colt Devastate ($2.40) set all the pace in the faster cut, then survived a late thrust by luckless Canadian invader Shermont to get the nod by a half-length in 1:54.2 for driver Dexter Dunn, wearing the Diamond Creek Racing colours.
Takter then came back with the Walner three-year-old filly Walla ($3.40), who minded her manners today and led her field at every pole to take a new mark of 1:54.3, ahead by 3-1/2 lengths over Tracks Of My Tears at the finish. David Miller was in the sulky behind Walla for Christinatakter&Anderberg, John Fielding, Oakwood Farms and Nancy Takter.
There is a quartet of $12,000 USD headliners set for Philly’s Friday card, with many of the same classes coming back for distaff pacers – a fast-class contest and two divisions of a classification for up-and-coming younger horses. Those races will be joined by a claiming handicap pace for the priciest sellers on the grounds.
(With files from PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)