After inheriting the lead from the pocket when pacesetter Cruise Patrol broke stride, Sir Pugsley ($14.60) successfully parried a late push from Mar Nien A to take Sunday afternoon's (Sept. 2) $18,000 featured top-level conditioned pace at Harrah's Philadelphia.
The four-year-old American Ideal charge secured the pocket behind Cruise Patrol (driven by Brett Miller) on approach to the first turn and enjoyed a garden trip through splits of :26.3, :54.4 and 1:21.3. When Cruise Patrol, the winner of last week's top pace, broke stride midway around the final turn, Sir Pugsley and driver Corey Callahan inherited the lead — and first-over pressure from 3-5 favourite Mar Nien A (Tim Tetrick) as well.
A neck in front at the top of the stretch, Sir Pugsley countered the threat of Mar Nien A to prevail by half a length in a lifetime-best 1:49.2. Cruise Patrol reset from his break to finish third, another one and three-quarter lengths back.
Ron Burke trains 15-time winner Sir Pugsley for the Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
Sir Pugsley (#3) holds off the sustained bid of Mar Nien A in Sunday's featured pace at Harrah's Philadelphia (World Wide Racing Photos)
Callahan also captured one of the afternoon's sub-featured events, as he teamed up with millionaire Mel Mara ($3.20) for a 1:49.2 score in a $14,500 fourth-level conditioned pace. The nine-year-old son of Mel Mara controlled fractions of :26, :55.2 and 1:22.2 en route to a three and a quarter-length victory over Ballerat Boomerang (Andy Miller). Dylan Davis trains 25-time winner Mel Mara for the Robert Cooper Stables, J&T Silva Stables and Howard Taylor.
Penzance Hanover ($2.10) and George Napolitano Jr. did not disappoint their backers in the other sub-featured event, a $17,000 conditioned pace, as the duo dug deep to prevail by a scant neck over Xpert Bayama (Callahan) in 1:52.1. The four-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding earned his fourth consecutive win for trainer Eric Ell and owners Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar Jr., Steve Iaquinta and Minisink Farms.
Multiple punters successfully chose the winning Jackpot Hi-5 combination, which resulted in a carryover of $1,870.38 to Monday afternoon's (Sept. 3) program. The Jackpot Hi-5 occurs in the fifth race daily with a 20-cent base wager.
The Labour Day program, featuring all eight Pennsylvania Stallion Series finals, is scheduled to kick off at 12:40 p.m. (ET).
(Harrah’s Philadelphia)