Two-year-old filly pacers headlined a solid card at Harrah's Philadelphia on Sunday, September 20, as a trio of $35,000 divisions of the Liberty Bell Series highlighted the afternoon program.
CC Racing and Jim King's Newborn Sassy won her fifth straight race in the first division. The daughter of Western Ideal maintained pocket position throughout much of the race. She drafted behind the speed of Ron Burke trainee Yankee Moonshine (driven by Yannick Gingras). Newborn Sassy vacated the pocket at the head of the lane and went on to win by one length in 1:53.1. Skinny Dipper rallied on for second. The winner returned $2.40.
Geoffrey Lyons Mound's Lyons River Pride (Yannick Gingras) was game in victory during Division 2. The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere took the lead shortly after the start, and held off the pocket-sitter (Sail To The Beach) to win by a neck in a thrilling stretch drive. It was the second career win for Lyons River Pride ($4.20), who paced the mile in 1:53. She is trained by Ron Burke.
Division 3 saw the favourite, Shezarealdeal (Marcus Miller), use a well-timed move in the stretch to win. The daughter of Western Ideal sat off the early speed duel and emerged three-wide at the top of the stretch to sweep past and win by one length in 1:52.3. The Erv Miller trainee has won three of her seven career starts. Princess Fabulosa finished second. Shezarealdeal ($2.80) is owned by the Nick Surick and KDM Stables.
Gingras recorded five driving wins during the program. He currently sits fourth on Harrah’s driver standings and is second in terms of UDR.
(Harrah’s Philadelphia)