CHESTER, PA – Scuola Hanover won her fourth straight race, and took archrival Bettor Trix N from the ranks of the unbeaten on U.S. shores, in taking the $17,000 distaff pacing feature at Harrah's Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon in 1:52.
Big City Betty and Miss Hill got away 1-2 in the featured field of eight, with the former passing the first two poles in 27.3 and 56.2. Bettor Trix N, who had won all four of her east coast starts and was the 6-5 second choice, started uncovered down the backstretch, with the 1-2 favorite Scuola Hanover enjoyed a perfect cover trip past the 1:24.2 3/4s and into the stretch.
The A Rocknroll Dance sophomore filly proved the strongest in the latter stages, with a personal last split of 27.4 putting her two lengths clear of Big City Betty at the finish; Miss Hill was another neck back in third and ¾ of a length ahead of Bettor Trix N.
Scuola Hanover had passed the $200,000 career earnings marker with her previous win, in a division of the Simpson Stake at Philly, and this victory now boosts her earnings to $215,798 for trainer Andrew Stafford, who is also co-owner with Art Stafford and Thomas Ireland. David Miller recorded his third victory of the afternoon behind the winner.
Harrah's Philadelphia had had two cards out of its first 111 this year where two winners paid $50 or more – with Wednesday's racing, it's now added on two more in the last six.
First on the longshot brigade Wednesday was Let's Roll, who showed competitiveness in good company but still was allowed to escape at 34-1, whereupon driver Brett Miller got her home off a second-over trip to return $70.80. Brett now has six $50+ winners at the meet, one behind the leader Eric Carlson, with whom he is tied wth two $100+ winners.
The other bomber pilot on the Wednesday card was Dexter Dunn, who rallied Lexi Tee from third inside to catch 2-5 favorite Trix Are For Kids while paying back $2 win tickets with $59.40.
FINISHING LINES – Harrah's Philadelphia will be dark for live racing this Sunday afternoon, October 28, following the night before where there will be some good racing 100 miles north up the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
From the PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia