Yankee Bounty continued his perfect rookie campaign on Friday afternoon (Aug. 22), hanging on for his closest victory yet in six stakes starts at Harrah's Philadelphia.
There were three divisions of Pennsylvania Sires Stakes for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers contested at Harrah's Philadelphia on Friday afternoon, each going for a purse of just over $80,000.
In the second division, the wagering public made the undefeated Yankee Bounty (Yankee Cruiser-Bootleg Yankee) the prohibitive favourite, going off at 1-9 on the board. At the start, it was Dragon Eddy (Dragon Again-Jaska Hanover) firing away for the lead, in a quarter time of :27.2. Yankee Bounty, however, quickly moved towards the lead and took charge just before the half. At three-quarters, he faced a serious challenge from Wakizashi Hanover (Dragon Again-Western Gesture). These two battled down the stretch, with Yankee Bounty having to re-rally, winning by just a neck in 1:52. He also had to survive a lengthy inquiry, as he bore in late stretch. Dragon Eddy held third. Yankee Bounty ($2.10 to win) is owned by Yankee Bounty Partnership and Frank Chick, trained by Ron Burke, and was driven by Yannick Gingras.
Earlier in the day, Brian Brown trainee Lost For Words (Well Said-Thou Shalt Not) won a division of the PASS. As the wings closed, Blood Brother (Somebeachsomewhere-Blood Diamond) flew out to the lead from the furthest outside, but was cleared by post time favourite Tomy Terror, shortly after the quarter (:27.3). The favourite maintained the advantage until three-quarters, when Lost For Words ($8.40 to win) made his bid. In the stretch, he overpowered the leader, going on to win by a quarter of a length, stopping the clock in 1:51.1. He is owned by Country Club Acres, William Robinson, Richard Lombardo, and the Strolling Stables, and was driven by David Miller.
In the final division, it was the Lightning Stable's McArdles Lightning (McArdle-Winning Venture) living up to his favourite status ($6.20 to win). He took the lead right from the start, and after a rated second-quarter (:29.3), he went on to pace gamely to the finish, winning by a head in 1:52.4. Talking Points (Well Said-Bikini Bottom) took advantage of the pocket trip to finish a narrowly beaten second, while Well Well Well (Well Said-Terrific Tara) finished third. McArdles Lightning is trained by Steve Elliott, and was driven by Andrew McCarthy.
Fillies and mares lined up for a $30,000 Winners Over Pace in overnight action, with the favourite being pacing mare superstar Somwherovrarainbow. She was roughed up early, parked to a :26.3 opening quarter. She didn't clear the lead until the half, with the second quarter in a taxing :27.4. After three-quarters in 1:22, pressure arrived in the form of Shelliscape. The trip eventually took its toll, as Somwherovrarainbow tired to finish seventh. Shelliscape went on to a two length win, stopping the timer in 1:50 flat, and paying $7.40. Drop The Ball was second, while Fast And Fiesty finished third. Shelliscape is owned by Bamond Racing, trained by P J Fraley, and was driven by Hall of Famer John Campbell.
(With files from Harrah's Philadelphia)