Four of the six entrants in Harrah's Philadelphia's $11,600 distaff pacing feature on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 30) had the lead at some point of the race. The one that had the lead when it counted the most was the Real Artist mare Abigail Dawn, who won in 1:52.
D Gs Elsa, who left from the outside post, streaked by the favoured Apple Hanover heading to the eighth pole and looped to the lead in front of Abigail Dawn and Anytime N. Apple Hanover went back to the front to gain the top by the :26.3 quarter. Both parked horses pressed on, and it was Abigail Dawn that ended up making the lead in front of the stands, while Anytime N needed until almost the half-mile pole (:55.1) to finally get on top.
Apple Hanover came back for more down the backstretch, with D Gs Elsa behind her, but Anytime N would not let her pass -- not by the 1:23 three-quarters nor at any other point left in the race. Anytime N had the lead in the stretch, but Abigail Dawn, who was sitting in the pocket for Dexter Dunn, had enough late strength to get past the leader by a half length. Apple Hanover held well to finish third, one length back.
Abigail Dawn has now won three of her last five starts for trainer Chris Ryder and the Shore Thing Stables LLC.
The fastest mile of the day (1:51.4) was recorded by Infinite Symbol A, and the win was her first in the U.S. Infinite Symbol A was driven by Tim Tetrick for trainer Dylan Davis and co-owner Michael Casalino Jr.
(With files from PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)