The pace-setting Goes Down Smooth held off a long uncovered challenge from favourite Arabellas Cadet to win the $14,400 'fast-class' trotting feature at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 3).
David Miller got the victorious four-year-old altered son of Muscle Hill to the lead near the quarter. Miller rated the half and then braced for a stern challenge from Arabellas Cadet, who trotted her own third panel in :27.1 to attack the leader. Goes Down Smooth had enough to resist the hard-fighting mare by one and one-quarter lengths in 1:52.3, which was just one fifth off of his lifetime record that was taken at Harrah's Philly two starts ago. Goes Down Smooth has won 11 of his 40 career starts and has banked $269,227. Goes Down Smooth is trained by Ron Burke for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Bill Switala and James Martin.
In the $13,600 co-feature on 'Trottin’ Thursday' at Harrah's Philly, the improving Cash Hall gelding SVF Cash Deposit grinded to the lead on the far turn and went on to a lifetime mark of 1:55.2. Andrew McCarthy drove the winner for owner/trainer Justin Lebo.
For Sunday’s $252,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisional finals for three-year-olds at Harrah's Philly, No Lou Zing was established as the early favourite in the colt pace, Amigo Volo in the colt trot, defending champion Sister Sledge in the filly trot, and the undefeated Party Girl Hill in the filly pace. Party Girl Hill’s race, with the likes of Rocknificent, track record-holder JK First Lady, and 2019 PASS and national champion Lyons Sentinel, will likely attract the greatest interest, as it has arguably four of the division’s top half-dozen fillies all against one another.
(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)