Feature race winners Givem The Goo and Big Stretch Mark shared the Friday (Sept. 3) spotlight at Harrah’s Philadelphia with driver Montrell Teague, who guided five horses to victory on the 13-race card.
The Googoo Gaagaa sophomore gelding Givem The Goo lowered his mark almost three seconds in winning the $12,600 featured trot in 1:55.3. Russell Foster and Givem The Goo were well-placed in the pocket behind pacesetting Tuff To Be Lindy, then picked that one up in the stretch to win by 2-3/4 lengths for trainer Kerry Welty and owner Brian Emerson.
Big Stretch Mark surrendered the early lead to sit a two-hole trip behind heavily favoured Itsonlyrocknroll A in the $11,200 fast-class pacing feature, then came back to catch him by a half length in 1:53.2. The Artiscape gelding, now a winner of $205,511, is trained by Paul Jessop, co-owner with Donato Falcicchio, and was driven by George Napolitano Jr. in his last race of the day at the riverside oval.
This Sunday (Sept. 5), Harrah’s Philadelphia will be hosting the $320,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series Championships, with all eight divisions of two- and three-year-olds looking for bragging rights within their own ranks. Post time is 12:40 p.m. Easter; programs will be available at the PHHA website.
(PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)