Mississippi Storm, who advanced without cover through the back half, wore down pacesetter Muscle M Up late to win the $17,500 trotting feature in 1:53.3 on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 26) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Crazy About Pat, who was in search of his third straight win, was out on his second move to the top nearing the :27.3 quarter when he made the lead. He then yielded to Muscle M Up, who had been limbed with cover from the outside Post 8 until ‘Pat’ cleared nearing the second turn (the half was clicked off in :56.2).
Cantab Hall gelding Mississippi Storm started his long uncovered grind soon after the half-mile was clicked off, and he wasn’t far off the leader when he passed the three-quarters indicator in 1:24.4. Mississippi Storm proved the best late for driver Pat Lachance and posted the win by three quarters of a length. The decision boosted his earnings to $282,424 for trainer Tom Fanning and owner Joseph Smith.
Twenty-seven-year-old driver Marcus Schoen, a lieutenant in the powerful trotting brigade of trainer Marcus Melander, enjoyed the first sulky success of his young driving career when he guided the freshman Donato Hanover colt Hopeyousteponalego to a maiden victory in 1:58.4. The pair came first over into a :57.3 back half and still won handily for ‘Team Melander’ and the ownership of Courant Inc.
(With files from PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)