CHESTER PA – The Cantab Hall sophomore gelding Nextroundsonme was well-prepared off a 33-day layoff by harness racing trainer Jenny Melander, moving well through the last quarter to take a 1:56.1 victory in the $16,000 trotting feature on a special Labor Day Monday afternoon of racing at Harrah's Philadelphia.
George Napolitano Jr. reserved the five-time winner in third as Our White Knight put up fractions of :28, :58, and 1:26.2. When Nextroundsonme came out on the far turn and trotted up to the front end, neither the pacesetter nor pocketsitting favorite Vic's Winner could offer much resistance, and Nextroundsonme proved a two-length winner over an oncoming Rock My Muscles for Belmar Racing & Breeding LLC.
There were also a pair of $15,000 handicap paces for the top-priced claimers on the ground. In the first, the Rocknroll Hanover gelding Ideal Rocky came grinding uncovered from sixth not much past the quarter, but eventually wore down pacesetting Rockin Rio by a half-length in 1:53.2 for driver Vinnie Ginsburg and trainer Matias Ruiz, the latter also co-owner with J. Louis Mascola and J. J. Macola.
The other fell to the Western Paradise gelding Abner The Great, unbeaten in two recent local outings after fronting his field and leaving closest rival Fernado 3¾ lengths behind in 1:51.3 for driver Joe Nongiorno, trainer/sister Jennifer Bongiorno, and owner Patrick O'Brien.
FINISHING LINES – The veteran Wiggle It Jiggleit goes behind the qualifying gate for the third time in his comeback on Tuesday morning. On Sunday, the age focus shifts to the babies, as Harrah's Philadelphia will proudly host the Championships and consolations of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for two-year-olds.
PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia