A pair of three-year-old trotting fillies recorded victories on Thursday (July 9) at Harrah's Philadelphia in advance of a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes leg that is scheduled for next week at the track.
Sebastian K filly Next Level Stuff won the day’s $13,600 feature in 1:54 for driver Tim Tetrick. The duo sat third early, went first-up after the opening half, and went on to win in 1:54 gain the lead. The tempo setter, Grapple Hanover put up a brave showing on the front end, but finished one length back in second. Next Level Stuff in now 2-for-2 this season and 8-for-12 lifetime. Jim Campbell trains the winner of $179,055 for the Runthetable Stables.
The Donato Hanover miss Creature Of Habit also got help from 'miscuing opposition' and lowered her mark to 1:54.2 earlier on in the card. In fact, four different horses that were first or second at the time made a break during the race (the last one, Ava Kathryn, had a four-length lead at headstretch, but she tired and succumbed to Creature Of Habit's late onslaught). Dexter Dunn was in the sulky for trainer Nifty Norman and the partnership of Melvin Hartman, David McDuffee, and Diamond Creek Racing.
(With files from PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)