South Beach Star got through first turn confusion unscathed before winning the $20,833 featured fast-class handicap pace in 1:48.4 on Sunday afternoon, July 28 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
The victorious Somebeachsomewhere gelding and Joemikiyoursofine got away one-two in that order. Maximus Miki, the conqueror last week was taken back towards fifth before Belmont Royale N made a break from third, compromising the chances of the rest of the field.
Meanwhile, South Beach Star went early splits of :26.4 and :55.2 for driver David Miller, then shifted to higher gear to hit the three-quarters in 1:22, with Joemikiyoursofine still second and Maximus Miki, least-bothered by the early trouble, had caught up to a closer third. But South Beach Star still had plenty in the tank for the stretch, with Joemikiyoursofine second, a length back, and Maximus Miki third.
South Beach Star, the winner of the Senditin Pace on Philly’s Super Sunday, is no stranger to the winner's circle for trainer Mark Silva and owner All Star Racing Inc. He’s five-for-eight this year, 16-for-37 over the last two campaigns combined, and 30-for-80 in a career, which has seen him earn more than $475,000.
In the $19,444 sub-feature, fast-class handicap pace, the Bettors Delight gelding Macs Delight got a drop in class after winning at the $20,548 purse level in his last start, because his stablemate for trainer Tom Cancelliere and owner/brother John was the returning Maximus Miki. Macs Delight took full advantage of the opportunity, closing off cover to post a 1:49.4 tally.
Water Sports Teen put on a front-end speed show of :25.4, :54.2 and 1:22.1, with Arden Messi N (at 36-1) challenging uncovered and Macs Delight right on his back. Into the stretch, Arden Messi N kept going gamely, but Macs Delight just had too much kick after the perfect cover trip, and he won by a length, raising his success rate to half in eight seasonal starts.
Harrah’s Philadelphia also hosted two $10,417 American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) pacing divisions, with both won in speed missions by Tony Beltrami and Yogi Sheridan. Beltrami bagged the first AHDC Pace with a pedal-down mile by 8-1 shot Saulsbrook Raptor to stop the clock in 1:53.1. Eddie Sager trains Saulsbrook Raptor, a five-year-old gelding by Shadow Play, for owner Hemlock Racing Stable Inc. Sheridan provided a much shorter return in his speedy victory with 1-5 favourite Finally Friday, who took the second AHDC Pace in 1:53. Dean Eckley owns and trains the four-year-old gelding by Tellitlikeitis.
Corey Callahan drove three winners, while David Miller, Anthony Morgan and George Napolitano Jr. drove two winners each. Jeff Cullipher and Dean Eckley trained two winners each on the day.
Racing returns to Harrah’s Philadelphia on Wednesday, July 31, with a 12:25 p.m. start. The same first post will be in place for Thursday and Friday racing, with the week ending on Sunday with a 12:40 p.m. opener.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia / AHDC)