All Champy, who usually uses off-the-pace tactics, and driver Dexter Dunn adjusted well to a speed-favouring bias at Harrah’s Philadelphia, ranging up to the lead off the first turn and going on to a 1:54.1 triumph in the $18,000 “Trottin’ Thursday” feature at the southeastern Pennsylvania oval.
Despite a sick scratch and 21 days away from the races, All Champy was in top racing shape for trainer William Wyatt and owners Howard and Joshua Kaufman, fending off a long uncovered bid down the backstretch from Majestic Marvel then staying strong to withstand pocket sitting Shivered by 3-1/2 lengths. The Explosive Matter gelding has been in explosive form all year, with eight wins and $127,915 amassed already this year, raising his lifetime total to $200,672.
In a $14,500 co-featured trotting contest, the Credit Winner gelding Ooh Rah had to go first-over, not the preferred tactic at Harrah’s this week, but he finished powerfully to win by two lengths over Spee Club in 1:54.2. Pat Lachance drove the winner of $174,210 for trainer Kathleen La Montagne, co-owner with Donald La Montagne.
The hot-driving Tim Tetrick added four victories on the Thursday card to the five wins he had here yesterday.
(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)