On “Trottin’ Thursday” at Harrah’s Philadelphia, driver Andy Miller, who has handled many a top diagonally-gaited horse over the years, was the big winner with four victories, including taking both of the featured races.
In the $14,400 contest for developing horses, Miller guided the Chapter Seven sophomore gelding Steel as he lifted his earnings to $200,411 with a 1:55.4 tally. Steel engaged Shikansen in an early battle for the lead, set the tempo, then held off that opponent by a length for Team Orange Crush, Andy and trainer/wife Julie, and owners Pinske Stables and Crawford Farms Racing.
Andy and Julie teamed for three successes on the day; his other win came for trainer Bob Baggitt, Jr. behind the ten-year-old Italian-bred gelding Sylvesteramerica IT, who captured his second straight outing in 1:54.2. Miller put the veteran in first-over position, then out darted the inside-hugging Whimzical Chapter to the wire by a neck for owner Christine Baggitt.
Friday’s card features a $12,600 for oncoming younger trotters, and an $11,200 contest for fast-class pacers. Sunday will be Pennsylvania Stallion Series Championship Day at Philly, with $320,000 on the line as the eight groupings of two- and three-year-olds battle for divisional bragging rights.
(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)