It was quite a day at Harrah's Philadelphia on a beautiful Sunday afternoon (Sept. 13). There were three divisions of the Liberty Bell Series for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers, as well as a winners over $25,000 lifetime pace, which featured two pacers at the doorstep of one million dollars in career earnings.
Division one of the Liberty Bell went to upsetter Trading Up (Scott Zeron). The son of Somebeachsomewhere was three-wide much of the first quarter before finally clearing the lead just before the half. He was able to hold off the heavy favourite, My Hero Ron (Matt Kakaley), by a length, stopping the clock in 1:51.4. Blood Brother finished third. The win was the fifth lifetime for Trading Up ($15.00), who is owned by Alagna Racing, John Fodera, Alan Alber, and Aaron Waxman. He is trained by Tony Alagna.
Tri County Stable's millionaire sophomore star Wakizashi Hanover (Tim Tetrick) was a dominant winner in the second division. The son of Dragon Again battled a game Badiou Hanover (Scott Zeron) the entire mile to secure the win in a time of 1:51.3, while in hand at the finish. The win was the 11th lifetime for the Joann Looney-King trainee, and his third straight. Jo Pas Well Said (Dave Miller) was third.
Allbeef N Nobull (Matt Kakaley) turned in a lifetime-best performance in division three of the Liberty Bell. The son of McArdle sat pocket behind the speed of Rise Up Now (Tim Tetrick), before roaring up the passing lane to win in 1:50.2. Paparazzi Hanover (Dave Miller) rallied for second, while McArdles Lightning (Corey Callahan) was third. The win was the eighth lifetime for the Ron Burke trainee, who is also owned by Burke Racing Stable, Donald Emond, Howard Taylor, and Weaver Bruscemi. He paid $4.40.
Ken Jacobs' Doctor Butch is harness racing's newest millionaire. The five-year-old son of Art Major was victorious in 1:50.4 in a winner's over $25,000 lifetime pace, which pushed his lifetime earnings over the one million mark in his 94th career start. He now has 26 career wins -- nine on the season. Doctor Butch is trained by Linda Toscano. The eight-year-old Nova Artist, who was also in the race (finished seventh) is also nearing the plateau. He has career earning of $961,267. Doctor Butch is trained by Linda Toscano.
(Harrah's Philadelphia)