Brunhilda, hard used to get the lead through a fast quarter, withstood a game late charge by Dolphin Island to take the $16,000 distaff pacing feature on Friday (July 6) at Harrah’s Philadelphia in a lifetime best of 1:51.4.
The favoured daughter of Well Said was pushed by second choice Dolphin Island to make the lead off the first turn after a :26.4 quarter, then put up middle splits of :54.4 and 1:23.3. In the stretch, Dolphin Island made a charge up the inside, but Brunhilda kept it together to post a neck victory for trainer Eddie Sager and the Dead Crab Stable.
Brunhilda was driven by Andy McCarthy, and the triumph was the 1,998th of the 32-year-old’s still young career. McCarthy looked to have a good chance to add another with freshman pacing filly Odds On Naples, but the pair were caught late by Stonebridge Soul (Marcus Miller) in 1:53.3, equaling the divisional season’s record shared by Sweeter Lulu and Stonebridge Soul.
Tim Tetrick had another big day at Philly with three victories, including a new mark of 1:51.2 with Sportswriter mare Future Headlines in the $14,500 co-feature. Future Headlines parlayed a pocket journey into a victory for trainer Jeff Bamond Jr. and the partnership of Bamond Racing LLC and David Heffering.
The best day of all for a driver, however, was turned in by George Napolitano Jr., who came home first four times, three of them for trainer Gilbert Garcia-Hererra.
(PHHA/Harrah’s Philadelphia)