An Adios Pace finalist defeated “Team Oaks” and a Meadowlands Pace finalist in the $14,400 featured pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 10), as Quick Snap won in 1:51.4 over Jo Pas Warrior and PJ Lou.
The three three-year-olds received the overwhelming amount of crowd support, with the 6-5 favourite PJ Lou (Andy Miller/Mark Harder) going right to the lead in a :27 opener, the 3-2 Jo Pas Warrior (Tim Tetrick/Jim Campbell) settliing in the pocket and 2-1 Quick Snap (Todd McCarthy/Tony Alagna) tucking fourth from post 7 in the eight-horse field. PJ Lou took the field past the half in :55.4, at which point the Betting Line colt Quick Snap started an uncovered grind, with Jo Pa’s Warrior in close attendance in the two-hole through and past the 1:23.4 three-quarters.
In the stretch, Quick Snap exerted his authority, winning by a neck over the inside charge of Jo Pas Warrior, with PJ Lou finishing third. The winner, who took his mark of 1:50 here at Philly, is now four for seven on the year and developing nicely for Alagna and the partnership of Let It Ride Stables, Bottom Line Racing, M T Pockets Stables, and Alagna Racing.
The day started off with a shocker – which really shouldn’t have been that much of a shocker. The Captaintreacherous gelding Gumption took a field wire-to-wire in an $11,200 pace, winning in a lifetime-equaling best 1:49.2 and returning $117.60 to win for driver Anthony Morgan and trainer Chris Temming. The mutuels were the shocking part – as on July 3, Gumption had won at this very level and paid $73.00, making the only two-time longshot “bomber” ($50+) of the year at Philly. Morgan and Temming were his backing team that day, too – Morgan now has four $50 wins and a $100 win at the meet, which happens to exactly match the stats of driver Trae Porter, now with him at the top of those categories, while Temming now joins Jacob Hartline and Adrian Wisher as the only conditioners with double bombers.
David Miller likes driving at Philly on Wednesdays. After recording four wins here a week ago, the leading active moneywinning driver rang up five more successes during this Wednesday’s program.
“Trottin’ Thursday” will again feature at Harrah’s Philadelphia Thursday, with JL Cruze and Yanks Dugout likely to attract the most attention in the $22,500 handicap fast-class feature. Program pages are available at the PHHA website.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)