The clouds hung ominously over the Philadelphia skies on Sunday, but the rain did hold off, ensuring dry conditions for the harness racing at Harrah's Philadelphia. The competitive Sunday tilt featured a winner's over $25,000 lifetime pace (purse $25,000) and two divisions of a non-winner's of $15,000 in their last 5 starts (purse $15,000).
In the winners-over event, it was millionaire pacer Mach It So (Tim Tetrick) scoring an impressive front-end victory. Coming off of 3 wins in the preliminary rounds of the George Mortin Levy at Yonkers, Mach It So drew post 7 for the final, and ultimately had no chance the way the race shaped up. Today, the 6-year-old gelded son of Mach Three brushed powerfully to the front, stopping the clock in a stellar 1:50.2 (season's mark). It was the 29th career win for the Jeffrey Bamond trainee, and his 4th of the season. Steve Elliot trainee Rockeyed Optimist (Brett Miller) had a tough hill to climb, starting from post 8 in the event, but was able to establish early pylon position coming away 5th. He had no choice but to come first-over however, after Mach It So cleared the lead. It was a big effort for the gelded son of Rocknroll Hanover, as he gamely fought for second. Rockeyed Optimist continues to be a model of consistency for the owning conglomerate of Perretti, Berkner, Battaglia, and the A&B Stables. He has only been worse than third 3 times in the last 2 seasons.
In the first division of the non-winner's of $15,000 last 5, it was Dedi's Dragon (Napolitano Jr.) overcoming post 8 to get the job done. The 6-year-old son of Dragon Again ended up with the pocket seat behind Bettorever (Tim Tetrick), and was able to outclose him in the passing lane, stopping the timer in 1:52.1. It was the 22nd career win for the Paul Holzman trainee, with earnings now just under $800,000. Division two went to Richard Poilucci's Starsky's Dream N (Yannick Gingras). The 6-year-old gelded son of Mach Three made the front end, and stayed on nicely, stopping the clock in 1:51.3. It was the 13th win for the Kelvin Harrison trainee, and his 3rd win of the year.
Driver Tim Tetrick led the day with 4 wins. George Napolitano Jr. had 3 wins on the program.
There is no live racing at Harrah's Philadelphia on Wednesday (May 25th). There is live racing on Memorial Day (Monday, May 30th) with a post time of 12:40 PM. Live racing resumes Thursday, post time 12:40 PM.
Mike Bozich