A pair of $16,000 featured events headlined the Friday afternoon (Aug. 30) racing at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
In the co-feature for trotters, the Father Patrick gelding Divine Spirit overcame a difficult first-over trip to win in 1:56.3. Remarkable De Vie put up the early fractions of :28 and :58.2. By the 1:26.3 three-quarters, Divine Spirit had engaged the leader and soon gained the advantage, and stayed 1-1/2 lengths ahead of gaining favourite Navarone Hanover through the stretch.
Trainer Brett Pelling co-owns Divine Spirit with Lindy Farms of Connecticut; for driver Andy McCarthy, the win was one of six on the afternoon card.
In the co-headliner for female pacers, the Bettors Delight mare Ilana Z Tam went out for the pocket behind Ponder The Odds, stalked fractions of :26.4, :56.1, and 1:23.3, and then accelerated up the inside to achieve a one-length victory over closing Odds On Naples in 1:52.4. Trainer-driver Pat Lachance shares ownership of the winner with Z Tam Stables LLC.
In a $14,500 pace for fast-class mares, the sharp Roll With Joe mare Queen Lostris N made every pole a winning one to lower her mark to 1:51.2 and spoil the U.S. debut of Imprincessgemma N, who came up a length short. Gilbert Garcia-Owen, the leading trainer at Harrah’s Philadelphia, conditions the winner for Gilberto Garcia-Herrera.
Harness royalty comes to Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (Sept. 1) for Great Northeast Open Series action: Shartin N tops the Mares Pace, while 2017 Horse of the Year Hannelore Hanover is set to go in the Open Trot.
(with files from PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)