Two-year-old colt and gelding trotters were in action on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 1) at Harrah's Philadelphia. The four divisions for Pennsylvania-sired trotters each went for a purse of approximately $46,000.
The first division saw a track record performance by Muscles Jared (John Campbell). The gelded son of Muscle Massive was coming into the event off of three straight impressive wins against similar competition. Starting from Post 7, he was able to find an early spot fourth. After riding the pylons for a half, he was tipped to the outside, where he began his uncovered grind. The George Ducharme trainee seized command at the top of the stretch, and went on to win going away in 1:55.2. That time eclipsed the previous track record for freshman gelding trotters, previously held by Don Dorado (2013) and Explosive Drama (2014), by four-fifths of a second. Andy M (Matt Kakaley) was second, while Affair Of Honor (Corey Callahan) finished third.
Muscles Jared is now four of six in the win column, and has earnings of over $69,000 for owner Alfred Ross.
Division two saw Haras De Estrie's Achille Duharas (Yannick Gingras) scoring the front-end victory. The son of Andover Hall struck the top, and made every call a winning win, in a time of 1:56.4. Don Dream (Dave Miller) closed up the cones to be second, while Simply Volo (Corey Callahan) finished a rallying third. It was the first career win in four starts for the Jimmy Takter trainee, with earnings now over $30,000.
In division three, it was the first of three wins on the card for driver Corey Callahan as he piloted Dover Dan to a game victory in race 7. The son of Andover Hall was hard used early, not clearing the lead until well after the quarter. The John Butenschoen trainee stood his ground late to win by three lengths, stopping the timer in 1:56.2. Stealth Hanover (Andrew McCarthy) finished second, while Meme Hanover (Charlie Norris) was third. Dover Dan is now three of six in the win column, with earnings over $65,000. He is owned by Bill Wiswell, Jean Goehlen, and Eugene Schick.
The fourth and final division also went to the Butenschoen / Callahan connection as Giveitgasandgo won his fourth straight. The son of Yankee Glide brushed powerfully to the top and stayed on gamely for his fifth win in seven lifetime tries. He stopped the clock in 1:56.3. Snowstorm Hanover (Matt Kakaley) was second, while Hes Gone (Dave Miller) rallied for third. Giveitgasandgo now has earnings over $90,000. He is owned by Harmony Oaks Racing, David J. Miller, Lawrence Means, and VIP Internet Stable.
(with files from Harrah's Philly)