Misty Coast, an invader from Harrington Raceway, yielded command to sit a perfect pocket trip, then came back in the stretch to defeat Front Page Story by a nose in 1:50.2 to take the $19,863 distaff pacing feature at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Friday afternoon, July 5.
Misty Coast, a four-year-old daughter of Powerful Mist who has won several championship races in Delaware Breeders Fund Stakes competition, lowered her mark by two seconds for trainer Les Givens and owner/breeder Stephen Messick, and was required to in order to defeat her talented opposition.
After taking the lead in a :26.4 opener, Misty Coast yielded to Front Page Story, who was coming off a 1:49.4 mile and went to the half in :55.4, then picked up the tempo as favoured Sarasota Hanover, a recent 1:48.1 winner, came to challenge approaching the 1:23.3 three-quarters. Misty Coast and driver Corey Callahan made the most of their two-hole journey as they stepped home in :26.4 to defeat Front Page Misty, with Sarasota Hanover another 1-1/4 lengths back.
There were also three $16,438 divisions of the top level claiming handicap pace, with trainer Dean Eckley and owner Ameer Najor clicking twice, including with the fastest winner, the Trust The Artist gelding Trip Hammer, who won in 1:50.2 for driver George Napolitano Jr. Their other success was with the Western Ideal ridgling Go West Go Fast, whom they reclaimed last week and got quick dividends with a 1:51.1 win for driver Simon Allard.
The other winner, and the only one who was claimed, was the JK Endofanera gelding Hes Gonna Getya, who made the trip up from Ocean Downs for trainer/owner John Wagner, lowered his mark to 1:52.1 with a thunderous late kick for driver Tony Morgan and then was taken for $34,247.
Allard took the driving honours on the day with four victories while Eckley led all conditioners with three successes.
Sunday’s 12:40 p.m. card has an outstanding $15,000 USD fast-class handicap pace as its headliner, with Ervin Hanover the early favourite. Harrah’s Philadelphia top driver Tim Tetrick had the choice of four horses in the race and he picked Ervin Hanover. Free Philly programs will be available at phha.org.
(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia; Photo of Misty Coast from a previous win)