A strong field of square gaiters faced the gate in a $30,000 conditioned trot Thursday afternoon at Harrah's Philadelphia, and the wagering public put their support into millionaire trotter Uncle Peter despite post eight.
At the start, it was the outside horses, NF Happenstance (Andrew McCarthy) and Uncle Peter (David Miller) leaving the gate well, with Uncle Peter clearing to the lead just after the quarter in :27.2. The leader was able to rate the second quarter in :29, before facing a challenge from the first-over Opening Night (Tim Tetrick). These two battled to the head of the lane, and that's when the closers started to take aim.
They lined up five across the track in an exciting stretch drive. In the end, it was the Randy Bendis-trained Crosbys Clam Bake (Ron Pierce) closing fastest of all, stopping the clock in 1:54.3, for his third straight win. Wind Of The North closed up the inside for second, while NF Happenstance finished third.
Crosbys Clam Bake, who was the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots champion in 2013, is owned by Jack Piatt II, Tom Pollack, and trainer Randy Bendis. He rewarded his backers with a handsome $40.60 mutuel.
(With files from Harrah’s Philadelphia)