Glacier Hanover showed some of his royal pedigree when he won the $12,600 featured trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Friday afternoon in 1:56.
There was plenty of movement early for a six-horse field, with Drain The Swamp going straight to the top then seeing Keeper Of Secrets and Glacier Hanover already on the move at the :28.3 quarter. Keeper Of Secrets, the second choice, soon took over, but driver George Napolitano Jr. hustled the winning sophomore son of Father Patrick–Global Desire (she a full sister to Horse of the Year Glidemaster) to the front well before the :58.1 half. The 1-5 favourite Glacier Hanover took the field past the three-quarters in 1:26.4 and opened up distance, winning by two lengths over Drain The Swamp, who edged Keeper Of Secrets for the deuce.
The Marcus Melander trainee had previously scored a 1:54 victory here in this class, and now he has to elevate in company, where Melander hopes to continue his development for Jeffrey and Michael Snyder.
An $11,200 fast-class pace on the hot day went to the Somebeachsomewhere gelding Environs Hanover in 1:51.1 while proving that sometimes going first-over in exactly the right place to be. Marcus Miller came up uncovered with Environs Hanover down the backstretch and cleared pacesetting YS Mathis just before the three-quarter pole, stealing off to a six-length lead as the pacesetter tired and second-over Spanish Art went just enough alongside favoured McMike to keep him hopelessly trapped and shuffled back in the pocket. McMike closed well for second but, at the finish, still was three lengths shy of the Juan Cano trainee, who is owned by Elite Harness Racing LLC.
George Napolitano Jr. visited the winner's circle four times on the Friday card.
A pair of $16,200 events for the top fast-class pacing set will be featured on Philly’s Sunday card: the distaff event is topped by Keep Rockin A, winner of the Betsy Ross Pace earlier this year here, and early-season sensation Machnhope; the event for males finds Major Betts and Southwind Ozzi handicapped to the two outside posts. Program pages for the 12:40 p.m. card will be available at phha.org.
(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)