Pennsylvania sired two-year-old filly pacers took centre stage at Harrah's Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon competing in five divisions worth just over $53,000 each.
The highly regarded Pure Country (Brett Miller) looked every bit the part in the first division. The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere rated smartly off the speed duel which developed shortly after the half between second favourite Heels On The Beach (John Campbell) and Ron Burke trainee Eloquent Grace (Yannick Gingras). Pure Country ($2.40) edged off the cones from the pocket spot at the top of the stretch, sweeping up three-wide for an in-hand, one-length victory in 1:53.2.
She is owned by Diamond Creek Farms, and is trained by Jimmy Takter.
Gerard Malanga trainee Sail To The Beach (Daniel Dube) was equally as impressive in her divisional win. The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere sat off the pace until the half, when she uncorked a strong brush that pushed her well clear by the three-quarter pole. Her margin of victory was two lengths in the end, stopping the clock in 1:53.1. Danika P (Matt Kakaley) was a clear second, while My Lady Love (Brett Miller) overcame a severe shuffle to close for third.
Sail To The Beach ($4.00) remained undefeated for owners Chester Orzell and Michael Talapa.
Another Somebeachsomewhere filly proved prominent in division three, as Darlinonthebeach (Yannick Gingras) scored in front-stepping style. The Nancy Johansson trainee faced a minor challenge up the backstretch from Sayulita (Brett Miller) before relegating her to the pocket by the three-quarter pole. Darlinonthebeach ($3.40) won by an increasing four-length margin in the end, stopping the clock in 1:53.1 for her first pari-mutuel win.
Division four was home to an impressive performance by I Said Diamonds (Dave Miller). The daughter of Well Said benefitted when her main competition Shezarealdeal (Marcus Miller) made a break in the first turn, thus eliminating herself. I Said Diamonds ($3.00) then pounced on the leaders just after the quarter, never ceding command after completing the clearing move. She went on to win by a length, stopping the clock in 1:53 to remain undefeated in two starts.
She is owned by Omar Beiler, Dennis Coons, and Susan Oakes, with Chris Oakes doing the training.
The final division was taken by the front-stepping Peachy (Yannick Gingras). The daughter of Western Terror was able to rate back-to-back :29 quarters before facing a challenge from race favourite Skinny Dipper (Andrew McCarthy). Peachy ($9.80) was able to extend her lead off the soft fractions at three-quarters, with plenty left to fend off the pocket-sitting Corona Again in the stretch. She won by a little less than a length, stopping the timer at 1:54.1.
It was the first career win for the Ron Burke trainee, who is owned by W J Donovan.
Yannick Gingras lead all drivers with four wins on the day, while Corey Callahan, Scott Zeron, and Dave Miller each had three.
(Harrah’s Philadelphia)