The twelfth race on a power-packed harness racing program at Harrah's Philadelphia this Sunday (May 29) is named after long time horsemen Maxie Lee.
A native of North Carolina, Lee made a name for himself as a trainer and driver in the Philadelphia area at Liberty Bell and Brandywine. He had back-to-back Delaware Valley Harness Horse of the Year winners in the mid-1970s with Black Gamecock and Valley Ken. Maxie Lee died in 2001 at the age of 70. Maxie's son Greg Lee makes the trip every year from North Carolina to present the trophy to the Maxie Lee Memorial winner, and this year will be no different.
In 1990, Maxie Lee became the first African-American with a starter in the Hambletonian, with the Peter Haughton winner Backstreet Guy. One of Greg's finest moments with his father was at the Little Brown Jug in 1991, when Maxie's charge Nuke Skywalker was runner-up to Precious Bunny in the finals. "My father said, come September, they will know who this horse is". In the Little Brown Jug, we're going to give them a fit."
The 2016 edition of the Maxie Lee Memorial features a very deep, talented field, led by Bee A Magician. The Nifty Norman trainee has won just about every award imaginable, as she continues on her trek to the $4 million mark in career earnings. She is making her fourth start of the year, and is coming off of an impressive tune-up at Yonkers, winning in 1:54.1 from Post 7 vs. open company.
The second-leading money earner in the field is Solveig's Racing Partner's Shake It Cerry. A Dan Patch award winner at ages 2 and 3, the now 5-year-old daughter of Donato Hanover comes into this event off of a sharp qualifier at The Meadowlands in 1:52.4 (last qtr :26.3). "I was really happy with the way she qualified," said regular Driver Dave Miller. "She didn't race good in the Mack Lobell Elitlopp Playoff," Miller continued. "They looked at her and she was sick with an infection. They gave her some time." When asked about the her chances in the Maxie Lee, Miller responded "I like her spot. I think the race will set up good for her."
The race also includes 2015 older trotter of the year J L Cruze. The 5-year-old son of Crazed rebounded well from a disappointing effort in the Elitlopp Playoff at The Big M with an easy win over the Harrah's oval last start. The complete field is listed below.
$200,000 Maxie Lee Memorial Invitational
PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Morning Line
1-Obrigado-Mark MacDonald-Paul Kelley-5-1
2-Wind Of The North-George Napolitano Jr.-Daryl Bier-12-1
3-Gural Hanover-Matt Kakaley-Ron Burke-20-1
4-JL Cruze-Corey Callahan-Eric Ell-7-2
5-Il Sogno Dream-Scott Zeron-Chris Beaver-7-1
6-Shake It Cerry-David Miller-Jimmy Takter-5-1
7-Bee A Magician-Brian Sears-R. Nifty Norman-5-2
8-Maestro Blue Chip-Tim Tetrick-Jo Ann Looney-King-8-1
There is a six-hour detention for the three big races (Maxie Lee, Betsy Ross, and The Dorothy Mullin).
The Riverview Terrace will be open for lunch from 12-4 p.m. For reservations, call 484.490.2222 or 610.874.5200. It will be Family Fun Day , with face painters, balloon artists, and many more activities for the kids. There will also be a $10,000 guaranteed Pick-4 pool, which will encompass races nine-12 and include the invitational races.
Mike Bozich