On a Wednesday afternoon (July 8) when the Harrah’s Philadelphia oval was favouring forwardly-placed horses, driver Tim Tetrick captured the program's $12,800 distaff pacing feature with Affluent Seelster.
Tetrick sent Affluent Seelster to the lead in front of the stands, then held off the inside drive of the horse they had looped early, Take Abit Of Life, by a head to post a new mark of 1:53.
Affluent Seelster, who is a daughter of Mach Three, has recorded three victories from her five seasonal outings. Courtesy of the win, Affluent Seelster increased her lifetime earnings to $61,849 for trainer Paul Stafford and the partnership of Stafford Racing Inc. and Thomas Ceraso Jr.
Standardbreds that set the pace or sat in the pocket won 12 of Harrah's Philadelphia's 14 races on Wednesday. Woodstock mare sat the pocket before posting a 1:51.1 score in Race 9, which carried a purse of $11,600. In contrast to her last start, which she triumphed by a nose at Pocono, Bye Bye Felicia left her competition six and one-quarter lengths behind while winning for driver Joe Bongiorno, trainer Jennifer Bongiorno, and owner Rick Howles. The winner has now amassed a career bankroll of $359,404.
(With files from PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)