Mad Max Hanover was out most of the quarter to get command, then had to be good late to hold off Macs Delight by a length in a 1:49.4 $17,568 fast-class pacing handicap Sunday (July 6) afternoon at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
The two horses with the homonymous first names were the bettors’ two choices at even money, with Macs Delight having $12 more wagered on him to win than Mad Max Hanover despite drawing outside that foe, and the difference in gate position may have been the difference in the race.
“Max” hustled to get the early lead from the quick starter Water Sports Teen by a :27 opener, with “Macs” having to accept the three-hole behind the two fighters. The winner went to the half in :55.2, then had the favourite race up alongside before the 1:22.2 three-quarters. There wasn’t much between the two since before the third call, but Mad Max Hanover had just a bit more to win for the third time in his his last four starts. Mark Herschberger guided Mad Max Hanover, a winner of $871,338, for trainer Jake Leamon and owner Marvin Rounick.
There was a pair of $16,216 contests for developing horses, one on each gait. In the pace, which was restricted to males, the public again foresaw the race as a two-horse battle, and they were correct. The favoured Captaintreacherous sophomore gelding Seaworthy Hanover sat the pocket behind second choice Captain Fear during splits of :27.3, :56.1, and 1:23.4, then moved out for the lane and despite drifting out slightly gradually wore down the leader by 1-1/4 lengths, with the 1:51.2 final time a new mark. Andrew McCarthy handled the Marvin Rounick-owned winner, trained by Jake Leamon (the same trainer-owner combo that won the feature).
On the trot, Kellys Landing went the mile of her life, as the Tactical Landing sophomore filly was rolled by Corey Callahan on a speed mission of :28, :55.4, and 1:24.2 before finishing out with a new mark of 1:54.4. No one could get close to the winner in the last quarter as she won for trainer Christopher Freck and Stormi And Bruiser Stable.
In an $14,865 handicap pace for the top claimers on the grounds, the Huntsville gelding The Boss Said, noted for his early speed, showed he could come from off the pace as well. Seventh at the three-quarters, The Boss Said circled leaders who fought through fractions of :26.4, :55.3, and 1:22.4 to be along by three quarters of a length over 66-1 shot Barbossa Hanover in 1:52.1. The Corey Callahan-driven Darren Taneyhill trainee, owned by LAV Racing Stable Inc., has now won four of his last seven races.
Corey Callahan and Andrew McCarthy each won three races to share the day’s honours; trainer Jake Leamon was the only conditioner doubling, and both came in feature races.
Harrah’s Philadelphia also hosted a pair of $10,135 AHDC Pacing events. Yogi Sheridan won the first division going gate to wire with 8-5 favorite Cheddar Shredder in a 1:55.2 mile. Sheridan managed to cut an easy tempo of :27.4, :58 and 1:26.3 after turning away a mild first-over challenge from 50-1 shot Count Mara (Frank Tsipouras) and strode in a 1-1/2 length winner. A Stud Named Sam (Raymond Burt) grabbed second from pocket-sitting Pacing Major N (Joe Lee) while Phelgon (Geovany Hernandez) closed for fourth.
Shane Tritton trains Cheddar Shredder, a four-year-old mare by Betterthancheddar, for owner EVM Racing LLC. She paid $5.20 to win.
Frank Tsipouras utilized similar speed tactics to find the winner’s circle in the other AHDC Pace division with Hes Rockin Ralphie in a 1:53.4 effort. Tsipouras fired to the fore from post six through a :26.4 first quarter and rated middle sectionals of :56 and 1:24 before spinning for home to cap the mile 2-1/4 lengths better than 7-5 favourite Rocknroll Gold (Geovany Hernandez), who closed for second. Shore Of Himself (Yogi Sheridan) chased from a pocket trip for third and Vicky Everday (Tony Beltrami) gave pursuit for fourth.
Anthony De Francesco IV trains Hes Rockin Ralphie, an eight-year-old gelding by Rockin Image, for owner Louis Di Tullio. He paid $11.40 to win.
Harrah’s races in July are conducted on Wednesday through Friday at 12:25 p.m. and Sunday at 12:40 p.m.; Wednesday’s card will feature a carryover into the fifth race Pick pool. The Pennsylvania Sire Stakes and Stallion Series return to Philly on Friday, with some Hambletonian possibilities among the three-year-old trotting male entrants.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia; photo of Mad Max Hanover from a previous win on March 1)