What Should I Goo enjoyed a lowering of company from stakes-level foes to take the $14,400 featured trot on Friday (July 29) at Harrah’s Philadelphia in a career-best clocking of 1:55.2.
Joe Bongiorno kept the Googoo Gaagaa sophomore miss third-in while Big Sky Sumo set fractions of :27.3, :58, and 1:26.3. Nearing the last-named station Saverio Hanover put some pressure on the leader, and Bongiorno backed his filly out behind the cover, tipped her wide in the lane, and was along by 1-3/4 lengths over Big Sky Sumo. What Should I Goo was purchased just over a month ago by Ken Jacobs and entrusted to trainer Jennifer Bongiorno, and already the three-year-old has won back $18,980 of her purchase price.
In American Harness Drivers Club pacing action for amateur drivers, horseman Kubi Erzene had the second and third winners of his career to have the day’s bragging rights among the AHDC drivers. Erzene’s two successes returned $16.60 and $53.80 at the mutuel windows, part of an entire card which was not kind to favourites. Frank Tsipouras, driving a winner for the first time in almost six years, paid $27.60, and Tony Beltrami got home a $26.60 winner, before some semblance of order was restored by Anthony Verruso and an $8.80 shot – but even there Verruso just caught Beltrami guiding the longest shot on the board at 33-1.
George Napolitano Jr. led all drivers on the day with three visits to Victory Lane.
Sunday’s racing at Harrah’s Philadelphia will be highlighted by a $61,200 fast-class pace featuring the likes of Lyons Steel, Sonny Weaver A, and Whitecookie; there will also be a carryover of $1448 into the third race’s Super Hi-5 bet and a $1446.03 carryover heading into the Pick-5 wager, which begins in race five. Program pages are available at the PHHA website.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)