Outclassed sat behind the pace of favoured Outwin Outrun until the far turn of the $14,865 featured pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon, then won the stretch battle of the “Out” horses by a half-length in 1:50.2, a new lifetime mark.
The victorious altered son of Artspeak, owned by Holton Gannon Jr., boosted his career earnings to $226,918 with the win for driver Tony Morgan, the 17,734th of his distinguished career. The victory surely provided a needed good moment to trainer Kevin Lare, whose popular father, horseman John “Tink” Lare, passed away a week ago.
There were a pair of $12,838 co-featured paces. In one, the Mach Three gelding Aussie Scooter A ran his record to three-for-four since moving to the barn of Philly’s leading trainer Dean Eckley, lowering his mark to 1:49.4 with a powerful engine triumph that turned back hard-luck Boardwalk Bet by a half-length. Martin Valencic owns the rejuvenated pacer, and George Napolitano Jr. drove him, part of a driving double that has brought “George Nap” within three wins in the driver's standings of Philly’s top sulkysitter Tim Tetrick.
In the other co-feature, the Sweet Lou mare Lous Lucky Girl sat in the two-hole behind frontstepping Doing Marvelous, then caught that one by a half-length in 1:52.3. Simon Allard drove the winner for trainer Joe Columbo and the ownership of George & Tina Dennis Racing and Curtis Larrimore.
In addition to Napolitano, amateur driver Newton “Yogi” Sheridan and trainer Izzy Estrada each recorded two wins, including pairing up to take the finale. “Yogi” won two of the races for amateur drivers during the card, and came within a neck of sweeping the AHDC’s three contests.
Racing continues at Harrah's Philadelphia on Tuesday, Sept. 24 with a first post of 12:25 p.m.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)