On a Friday afternoon where nine of the 12 horses who led at the half went on to victory (including the last six), feature race winners Keepthetab Hanover and Sombodyitreasure used the front end as a springboard to victory at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
In the $12,600 top trot, the Bar Hopping gelding Keepthetab Hanover was moving inside from post seven to post two after a front-end attempt in his last race got him second, and driver Tim Lancaster again got him to the top. The pair reached the half in a leisurely 1:00.3 then sprinted home in :57.2, and needed every ounce of that speed to hold off the charging Creative Venture by a nose. Trainer Kelly Hastings owns the victorious three-year-old with Ryan Dailey.
A race earlier, driver Corey Callahan made a move for early command with the Somebeachsomewhere gelding Sombodyitreasure in the $11,200 fast-class pacing co-feature, and the pacer was able to come home in :55 to be a safe 1-1/2 length winner over Full Send in 1:50.3. A winner in 11 of 38 career starts, Sombodyitreasure won for trainer Jennifer Bongiorno and Crawford Farms Racing.
The track’s leading driver, Tim Tetrick, visited the winner's circle four times on the day; in 11 appearances at the track in September (like today, not all of them for the full card), Tetrick has posted 36 wins, and has not had a day where he turned in less than a double.
Sunday’s highlight at Philly is a $16,200 pace which has Ruthless Hanover and Stars Align A handicapped to the outside posts as they invade from the north. There is no Wednesday live racing at the track until October 27. On Thursday, the Liberty Bell stakes for Pennsylvania horses begin with two events for freshmen, the colt pace and the filly trot. Program pages are or will be available at the PHHA website.
(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)