The John Simpson, Sr. stakes series, honouring the late Hall of Fame horseman and executive, got underway at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon with two-year-old filly action, with over $190,000 in combined purses for three divisions of pacers and two of trotters.
In the first pace, the Well Said- Ladys Portrait filly Renaissance Lady K was sent to the front by driver George Napolitano, Jr. before the :27.3 quarter, then the pair got to the half in :56.3. Favoured Philly Hanover launched uncovered from fourth at that point, and made some headway before the leader got to the three-quarter pole in 1:24.1; the chalk then continued to reduce the margin through the stretch, but Renaissance Lady K held gamely to post a neck decision while lowering her mark four seconds to 1:52.1. Norm Parker trains the winner for veteran owner Robert Key.
In the other side wheeling division, Rockn Philly, who did not have a good outing upon returning to her “home track” for a Liberty Bell contest last week, definitely brought her “A” game today while winning in 1:53.4. Victor Kirby sent the daughter of A Rocknroll Dance–Philadelphia to the lead after the :27.4, rested to the half in :57.2, and then powered home in :56.2 – :27.4 while unthreatened, boosting her earnings to $118.038 for trainer Jim King, Jr. and the ownership of CC Racing LLC and Jo Ann Looney-King.
Turning to the trotters: The “Trot Man,” driver Mike Simons, showed he knows 5/8-mile track geometry in the first section, going out from the rail with Pilgrims Lass against two outside leavers, forcing one to tuck before letting favoured Navarone Hanover go past the :28.2 quarter, and then racing in the golden seat through middle splits of :58.3 and 1:27.4. As first-over Big Weezy grinded to a short lead head stretch, Simons ducked to the inside, and gradually his Muscle Mass - Goodtimesstarthere filly erased Big Weezy’s narrow advantage and got to the wire a neck to the good in a personal best of 1:57.1. Pilgrims Lass has now won two straight for trainer Scott Andrews and owner Edward Andrews.
The Donato Hanover–Glide About miss American Kronos, 3-for-4 lifetime and the 1-9 favourite of the crowd, found herself having to take a two-hole trip behind determined 38-1 shot Sigilwig, who set fractions of :28.4, :58.3, and 1:27.3 in their cut. At the three-quarter pole driver George Brennan eased American Kosmos to the outside, and she trotted nicely down the center of the track to win in 1:57.1, at the wire a length ahead of Meadowbranch Vicki, with the gallant Sigilwig holding for third. Julie Miller trains the quick filly, whose only loss came when she made a break, for owners Marvin Katz, Al Libfeld and Dr. David Goodrow.
Stella Jane, looped early and out well past the :28.2 quarter before getting the lead, went on with fractions of :58.4 and 1:27.3, then had enough to withstand the horse that parked her early, Southwind Percy, by a neck in 1:57 after a stretch battle in the last division. George Napolitano, Jr., getting a stakes win on both gaits, guided the daughter of Crazed–Naughty Nana for trainer John Butenschoen and owners Crawford Farms Racing.
With a carryover from yesterday in the Pick 4 pool, this afternoon’s quad-win bet drew a lot of attention, with its 50-cent minimum and 15% takeout. Horses paying $7.60, $13.00, and $2.20 in the first three legs didn’t really hint at a mega-payoff, but when $64.60 winner Inner Peace nosed out favourite Hes Gone in the bet’s final contest, a 50-cent ticket was worth $7441.90. Had the favourite held, the payoff still would have been a generous $676.50.
(PHHA / Pocono)