Three-year-olds took centre stage at Harrah's Philadelphia on Labour Day afternoon as the oval hosted the PA Stallion Series Championships.
In the $40,000 three-year-old colt and gelding trot, it was Courant AB and Knutsson Trotting's Colbert (Ake Svanstedt) getting the victory. The son of Cantab Hall settled in to an early pocket spot behind the speed of Julie Miller trainee Mesmerized (Andy Miller), by the opening quarter in :27.2. After a rated :30.2 second quarter (:57.4 half), race favourite Jacksons Minion (Tom Jackson) rushed up to challenge for the lead, with Colbert committing to the outside. The battle continued past three-quarters (1:26.1), and that's when Jacksons Minion went off stride Colbert was able to move wide past the breaker before out-dueling a game Mesmerized in the stretch to win by a neck in 1:57.
It was the third career win for Colbert, who now has over $82,000 in career earnings. He paid $7.60 to win.
The $40,000 three-year-old filly trot went to Chuck Sylvester trainee Murderers Row (Tim Tetrick). The daughter of Donato Hanover settled into an early third behind the speed of nine-time winner Sistas (George Napolitano, Jr.) who was first to the quarter in :28. After a rated half (:57.3) Murderers Row moved up to challenge for the lead. They were on even terms at three-quarters (1:26), and the battle continued all the way through the stretch drive. Murderers Row was able to get the neck out in front at the wire for the 1:55 win. Sistas settled for second, while Wouldn't Itbesweet (Corey Callahan) finished third.
It was Murderers Row's third straight win and sixth career tally. It moved her lifetime earnings just shy of $150,000. She is owned by Steve Jones, Ted Gewertz and Mary Kinsey. She paid $8.00.
Owner Ted Gewertz was in the winner's circle once again, this time with Apricot Sour (George Napolitano, Jr.). The daughter of Well Said had a brief encounter with long shot Eloquently Stated (Yannick Gingras) at the quarter-pole (:27.2), but was able to steer past and rate the second quarter (:28.4). After sprinting away at three-quarters (1:23), she found herself all alone at the wire, winning by six lengths stopping the clock in a career best 1:52. Favourite Dobre Povedane (Corey Callahan) finished second, while Repeat Please (Dave Palone) was third.
It was the sixth career win for the Anette Lorentzon trainee, who now has earnings just short of $85,000. She paid $6.80 to win.
The upset of the day came in the $40,000 three-year-old colt and gelding pace, as Shirley Le Vin's Parklane Eagle was given a clever Brett Miller drive to win. The son of Somebeachsomewhere was able to establish early position behind the speed up front. Julie Miller trainee Badiou Hanover (Andy Miller) and race favourite Trading Up (Yannick Gingras) battled by the quarter in :26.4. After Badiou Hanover secured the lead from Post 8, he had to deal with parked out long shot Techtor Hanover (Corey Callahan) at the half (:55.3). As Techtor Hanover started to fade, Jo Pas Well Said (Dave Miller) drove aggressively three-wide up to challenge at three-quarters (1:23.3). As they came into the stretch, Brett Miller was able to weave Parklane Eagle through traffic, out sprinting Trading Up in the final 70 yards to win by a head, stopping the clock in 1:52.3. Badiou Hanover finished a game third.
It was the seventh win for Parklane Eagle ($28.80) pushing his career totals to over $132,000. He is trained by Pete Foley.
(Harrah’s Philadelphia)