The International Moni gelding Khaosan Road added back-to-back fast-class feature trot wins at Harrah’s Philadelphia to his impressive resume, on Thursday (Sept. 26) just surviving the inside charge of Chake to prevail in 1:52.4.
Chake had a brief early advantage from an inner post over the heavy favourite in the $18,919 headlining handicap affair, then yielded for the two-hole to Khaosan Road and driver George Napolitano Jr. through fractions of :28.2, :57.4, and 1:25. The winner briefly gained some clearance on the far turn, but Chake dug in and kept grinding relentlessly, with Khaosan Road able to hold him off by a nose for trainer Åke Svanstedt and owners Knutsson Trotting Inc. and Little E LLC.
The $16,216 fast-class subfeature handicap trot was won by Ritson, who covered a lot of early real estate from his outside post six starting assignment, but once on top didn’t have much trouble, rolling home in 1:53.4. Ridge Warren drove the victorious son of Cantab Hall for trainer Noel Daley and Allister Stables LLC.
There were four other $16,216 races for developing youngsters: one on the pace and three on the trot. The contest for sidewheelers went to Tamworth Boy (All Bets Off), who put it all together in his second start for trainer Jeff Cullipher and Pollack Racing LLC, taking the lead in front of the stands and coming his own last three quarters in 1:22.4 in lowering his mark to 1:51.2 under the guidance of George Napolitano Jr.
Among the trotters, Jet Zette (International Moni) continued his improvement for his co-owners, driver Troy Beyer and trainer Katie Gangell, lowering his lifetime best to 1:55.1; Thinker Monkey (Chapter Seven) won in 1:55.2 for driver Simon Allard, trainer Marcus Melander, and owners Order By Stable AB and Daniel Plouffe; and the Frank Ingrassia-trained Fore And After (Cantab Hall) is now a winner of three straight for driver Jackie Ingrassia and her ownership partner Donna Franchetti after recording a 1:55.4 mark.
Simon Allard and Ridge Warren both won four races on the afternoon, each of them winning for four different trainers – although they both drove one for the only trainer to double, Marcus Melander.
Racing continues at Philly with a special Friday (Sept. 27) evening card at 6:30 p.m. and a Sunday program at 12:40 p.m.; both cards have feature races challenging for the handicapper. After the Sunday card, Harrah’s Philly will take a brief break, and will be back for live harness racing on Sunday, Oct. 13; simulcasting will be available.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia; photo of Khaosan Road from a previous win on May 6)