Lexus Kody made his Harrah’s Philly debut in the $15,300 featured trot on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 15) and immediately established himself as a horse to keep an eye on as he won easily while taking a new mark of 1:52.4.
The victorious Archangel gelding left Toronto and came over the border to Yonkers, where he made a break while on the lead, but Thursday there were no errors as driver Simon Allard sent him to the lead just before the :28.1 opener, rattled off middle fractions of :56.1 and 1:24.3, and was strong to the winner in defeating 46-1 shot Epos Ostervang DK by 4-1/2 lengths. The Ron Burke trainee, now with earnings of $196,447, is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC in partnership with Phillip Collura.
In a $14,000 co-feature trot, the Muscle Hill mare Chablis stepped up in company but still could post her second straight victory, here in 1:56.1. The big :57.1 middle half trotting by Chablis exhausted her rivals, with pocketsitter College Tuition 2-1/4 lengths behind and just edging out Donzel Hanover for the deuce. Corey Callahan drove Chablis for trainer Jonas Czernyson and Consus Racing Stable Inc.
Callahan came back to take the day’s leading fast-class trot, worth $13,000 with the E L Titan gelding Hayek in 1:56, Hayek was in an unusual spot for a Harrah’s victory – third-over – but Callahan kept him behind cover until going four-wide near the top of the lane, and the winner of $382,296 took it from there, finishing 2-3/4 lengths ahead of late-clearing Mister Boinga while boosting his seasonal earnings into six figures for Per Engblom, the meet’s leading trainer, and the partnership of Evan Katz and Frank Canzone.
“Captain Corey” led all drivers at Philly on Thursday with four driving successes.
Friday’s (Sept. 16) card at Philly will feature two $22,500 handicap paces, one for males and the other for females; Sunday (Sept. 18) will mark the start of four straight cards of Liberty Bell Series stakes actions for Pennsylvania-sired horses, with two-year-old fillies of each gait going postward in three divisions.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)