The evergreen Amigo Volo hustled out of the gate, made the lead in front of the stands, and kept on going to win a three-way decision in the $20,270 Winners Over trotting feature at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Thursday, Sept. 19.
The altered son of Father Patrick, trained by Nifty Norman for owners Pinske Stables and David J. Miller, was outside of favoured Asteroid as he made the top on the first turn, then went up to challenge nearing the :27.1 opener and was sent right on by driver George Napolitano Jr. Amigo Volo passed the half in :55, then got a serious challenge by Chake from well before the 1:23.4 three-quarters.
Those two carried on around the turn and into the stretch, with Asteroid moving to the inside to launch his bid. Amigo Volo showed the grit that has allowed him to earn more than $2.5 million, resisting by a neck the prolonged challenge of Chake, who in turn photoed out Asteroid for the place spot.
Stormont Divide took a lifetime mark of 1:53 in taking the $13,000 co-featured fast-class trot. The slight favourite over Herodotus, Stormont Divide made that foe work hard to set the pace, moved out on the middle of the far turn, and went by the leader by 1-3/4 lengths for driver Jack Pelling, trainer Ron Burke, and the partnership of Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
“Trottin' Thursday” produced four other trotting victories in 1:55 or faster – Macmorris Hanover (1:54.2), Last Glow and Oliver The Great (both 1:54.3, a new mark for the latter), and Son Of Sona (1:55).
Drivers George Napolitano Jr. and Ridge Warren and trainer Robert Belcher each posted three victories during the card.
Harrah’s Philly will be back in action Friday, but about six hours later than normal for that day, as the racing will be under the lights with a first post of 6:30. Ruthless Hanover, who set the world record for a five-eighth mile track of 1:46.3 right here at Philly last year, heads up the $15,000 USD featured handicap pace; Friday’s fans will also have a carryover awaiting them in the first race Pick 4.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia; photo of Amigo Volo from a previous win)