The Liberty Bell Series got underway at Harrah's Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon with four divisions for both the three-year-old male pacers and trotters, each going for a purse of $30,000.
Division one for the pacers went to Howard Taylor and Ray Schnittker's Summer Side. The son of Well Said-Beachy Lady was able to set the tempo (:27.2, :55.4, 1:24.2) going on to a one-length win in 1:52.1. It was the colt's sixth career victory and one of five wins on the day for driver Tim Tetrick. Summer Side's career earnings are now over $319,000 in 21 career starts.
Jim King Jr.'s Qs Cruise, also driven by Tetrick, was impressive in victory in the second division. The gelded son of Yankee Cruiser-Modern Hanover struck the front, but yielded the lead to Jo Pas Somebeach (Brett Miller). After drafting in the pocket, Qs Cruise took aim at the eighth pole and went on to an in-hand victory in 1:51.4 for his sixth win in his last eight starts.
After a track record performance last week, Fox Hollow Farm's Boogie Shuffle (Tyler Buter) won his third straight. The gelded son of Well Said-Ciela Hanover used the passing lane to his advantage, winning a blanket finish in 1:51 for trainer Mark Harder. It was his sixth career win and his earnings are now over $360,000.
The fourth and final division went to Ron Burke trainee Eddard Hanover (Yannick Gingras). The gelded son of Dragon Again-The Panderosa brushed past the quarter and never looked back, completing the mile in 1:51.3. It was his sixth career win and his earnings are now over $230,000. He is owned by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, JJK Stables, and Larry Karr.
Division one for the trotters went to John Butenschoen trainee Giveitgasandgo (Corey Callahan). The son of Yankee Glide-Mazda Hanover won an early battle on the front end and never looked back, securing the victory in 1:54.3 for owners Harmony Oaks Racing, David J. Miller, Lawrence Means, and VIP Internet Stables. It was his 12th career win and his earnings are now over $400,000.
The second division was won in gate-to-wire fashion by President Lindy (Andy Miller). The gelded son of Cantab Hall-True Diva set fractions of :28.2, :58, 1:26.4 and completed the mile in 1:55. It was the Julie Miller trainee's fourth career win and his earnings are now over $64,000. He is owned by Andy Miller Stables, Lindy Racing, Gaitway Stables, and Stable Why Not.
Division three went to Stealth Hanover (Simon Allard). The gelded son of Andover Hall-Secret Credit made the top, but yielded the lead to favourite Muscles Jared (Chris Lems). He vacated his pocket spot at the eighth and went on to an impressive two-length win in a lifetime's best 1:54. It was his fourth career win and his earnings are now over $75,000.
The fourth division went to Todd Buter trainee Two AM (Tyler Buter). The gelded son of Muscle Massive-Conway Hall benefited nicely from a speed duel up top, sweeping three-wide at three-quarters en route to a five-length win in 1:53. It was his 10th career win in 15 starts and his career earnings are now over $175,000.
(With files from Harrah's Philadelphia)