Eight divisions of the John Simpson Memorial for three-year-old fillies—split evenly between pacers and trotters—took centre stage at Harrah's Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon (September 20), with each going for a purse of $30,000.
The first division for filly pacers went to Magic Forces (Marcus Miller). The daughter of Art Major-Magic Of Michelle went right to the top, setting fractions of :27.3, :56.1, and 1:24.1. The final time was 1:52, a lifetime mark. The Erv Miller trainee is owned by Paymaq Racing, Ron Michelon, and Hannah Miller.
Division two saw Cool Cat Racing's Perplexed take advantage of a pocket trip to pick up the victory. The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Monkeys Can Sing won for the sixth time in her career for trainer Nifty Norman. She now has earnings over $95,000.
World Apart (Jason Bartlett) set an extremely slow tempo on the front end to secure the victory as the heavy favourite in the third division. The daughter of Art Major-Polar Opposition had plenty left in the tank, stopping the clock in 1:52.2 for owners South Mountain Stables, Bay's Stable, Little E, LLC, and Radio Racing Stable. The Linda Toscano trainee is now a seven-time winner with earnings over $265,000.
Division four saw Chillin It De Vie (Marcus Miller) rally from second-over position to win. The daughter of Well Said-Flibbertigibbet paced the mile in 1:52 for owners Joie De Vie Farm and Winbak Farms. She is trained by Hermann Heitmann. It was her fifth career win, with career earnings now over $60,000.
The first division for filly trotters went to Hot Mess Hanover (George Napolitano, Jr.). The daughter of Cantab Hall-Her Culese went right to the front, and drew off willingly in a final time of 1:53.4, just two-fifths of a second off of the track record. She is owned by Ed Smith Estates, Dave Smith, James and Dan Giannuzzi, and trained by Joe Pavia, Jr. It was her fifth win in 25 career starts, with over $93,000 in career earnings.
Division two saw Itsgoodtobequeen (Pat Berry) looping off of cover and sweeping past in 1:54.4 for owners Jon Erdner, Martin Garey, and Henry Wieseneck. Doug Hamilton was the winning trainer. The daughter of Muscle Massive-Ucalthisahoneymoon is now over $100,000 in career earnings and a six-time winner out of twenty-three starts.
Division three was taken by Broadway Concert (Corey Callahan). The daughter of Broadway Hall-Luscious Lindy sat pocket behind EZ Passer, who made a break at the eighth pole. The John Butenschoen trainee inherited the lead, and went on to win in 1:54.3. It was the fifth career win in 19 starts for owner Bay Pond Racing Stable.
The fourth and final division went to Sianna Hanover (Joe Bongiorno). The daughter of Donato Hanover-Simplicity sat the pocket before roaring up the passing lane for the victory in a final time of 1:55.4. She is owned by Burke Racing, Our Horse Cents Stables, and Jerry and Theresa Silva Stables, and trained by Ron Burke. It was her fifth career win in 25 starts, with earnings now over $166,000.
(Harrah’s Philadelphia)