Hall of fame driver David Miller was on fire Thursday afternoon (Aug. 18) at Harrah's Philly, sweeping three divisions of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes races for harness racing 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers. They each went for a purse of $63,291.
The first division saw Emerald Highlands Farm's Fear The Dragon taking advantage of a live cover flow to get the job done. The son of Dragon Again latched on to the cover of Blood Line (Yannick Gingras), and was able to steer clear in the stretch to win by a length in the day's fastest 1:51.2. It was fourth consecutive victory in five lifetime starts. Huntsville (Tim Tetrick) re-rallied for second, while Blood Line settled for third. Fear The Dragon ($3.00) was one of two sire-stakes winners for trainer Brian Brown.
In division two, it was the other Brian Brown trainee Downbytheseaside holding on for the win. The son of Somebeachsomewhere brushed to the top past the quarter and was able to hold off the bid of the pocket-sitter Boogie Shuffle (Andrew McCarthy) by a neck in 1:52.4. Western Joe (Corey Callahan) finished third. It was the third career win for Downbytheseaside ($2.60) out of five career starts. He is owned by Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco, and Richard Lombardo.
The third and final division went to Synerco Venture's Bettor's Western. The son of Bettor's Delight went to the top, but yielded the lead to Ron Burke trainee Filibuster Hanover (Yannick Gingras). Bettor's Western was able to get up the passing lane to win in a blanket finish, stopping the clock in 1:52. Summer Side (Tim Tetrick) was game in defeat finishing second, while Normandy Beach (Matt Kakaley) rallied for third. It was the second career win for the Chris Oakes trainee, out of five lifetime tries. He paid $4.40.
The undercard was strong as well. It included a non-winners of $15,000 last five on the trot, which was taken by Military Blue (Dave Miller). The 4-year-old gelded son of Lucky Chucky brushed to the lead past the half, and went on to an easy victory in 1:55.2. He paid $21.80 to win. Two time Dan Patch award winner Market Share was a heavy favorite in the event, but made a break shortly after the quarter.
Also on the card was a non-winners of $20,000 lifetime on the trot. The race favorite was Daryl Bier and Joann Dombeck's star trotter Wind Of The North (Sean Bier). The 6-year-old gelded son of Cantab Hall drafted in the pocket behind the speed of Super Manning (George Naploitano Jr.), before using a passing lane move to get the job done in 1:55.1. It was his third straight win.
Michael Bozich