CHESTER, PA – A pair of "pocket rockets" found their way home first to take the $11,200 co-featured harness racing events, one on each gait, at Harrah's Philadelphia Friday afternoon.
On the pacing side, the Somebeachsomewhere sophomore gelding Gingras Beach made the top from post eight, yielded to Full Send, and stalked the leader to the final turn, where he pulled out, made the lead, and then withstood a late move from Rogerthat Bluechip while taking a new mark of 1:52.3. George Brennan was in the sulky for trainer Ron Burke and the ownership of Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby, and Larry Karr.
In the trotting co-headliner, the Donato Hanover mare Across The Pond, leaving from post two, yielded the front to Bosch past the quarter, waited in the two-hole, then guided her mare to the passing lane and rallied her to victory over the pacesetter in 1:56.3, also a new best. Despite two post eights and a post seven in her only three previous starts of the year, the crowd let the ladies get away at a big price, as Across The Pond paid $61.80 to win for driver Jacqueline Ingrassia and trainer/husband Frank Ingrassia; the driver is also a co-owner with the Arden Homestead Stable, Donna Franchetti, and Thomas Doran.
Three races later, another driver in green and red colors was in the winner's circle after posting a bigger surprise than the one turned in by Across The Pond. Victor Kirby sent Bo Knows, making only his second lifetime start, up uncovered down the backstretch after 1-9 pacesetter Light Up The Park, and Bo certainly knew what to do, grinding down the leader and drawing clear in the stretch for a new mark of 1:54 while returning $110.40 for a $2 win ticket.
From the PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia