Harness racing two-year-old colt and gelding trotters were in action on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 1) at Harrah's Philadelphia. The four divisions for Pennsylvania sire stake trotters each went for a purse of approximately $46,000.
The first division saw a track record performance by Muscles Jared (John Campbell). The gelded son of Muscle Massive was coming into the event off of 3 straight impressive wins against similar competition. Starting from post 7, he was able to find an early spot fourth. After riding the pylons for a half, he was tipped to the outside, where he began his uncovered grind. The George Ducharme trainee seized command at the top of the stretch, and went on to win going away in 1:55.2, beating the track record for freshman gelding trotters by 4 fifths of a second. The record was previously held by Don Dorado (2013) and Explosive Drama (2014). Andy M (Matt Kakaley) was second, while Affair Of Honor (Corey Callahan) finished third. Muscles Jared is now 4 of 6 in the win column, and has earnings of over $69,000 counting his most recent win. He is owned by Alfred Ross.
Division two saw Haras De Estrie's Achille Duharas (Yannick Gingras) scoring the front end victory. The son of Andover Hall struck the top, and made every call a winning win, in a time of 1:56.4. Don Dream (Dave Miller) closed up the cones to be second, while Simply Volo (Corey Callahan) finished a rallying third. It was the first career win in 4 starts for the Jimmy Takter trainee, with earnings now over $30,000.
In division three, it was the first of 3 wins for Driver Corey Callahan, as he piloted Dover Dan to a game victory in race 7. The son of Andover Hall was hard used early, not clearing the lead until well after the quarter. The John Butenschoen trainee stood his ground late to win by 3 lengths, stopping the timer in 1:56.2. Stealth Hanover (Andrew McCarthy) finished second, while Meme Hanover (Charlie Norris) was third. Dover Dan is now 3 of 6 in the win column, with earnings over $65,000. He is owned by Bill Wiswell, Jean Goehlen, and Eugene Schick.
The fourth and final division also went to the Butenschoen / Callahan connection as Giveitgasandgo won his fourth straight. The son of Yankee Glide brushed powerfully to the top and stayed on gamely for his fifth win in seven lifetime tries. He stopped the clock in 1:56.3. Snowstorm Hanover (Matt Kakaley) was second, while He's Gone (Dave Miller) rallied for third. Giveitgasandgo now has earnings over $90,000. He is owned by Harmony Oaks Racing, David J. Miller, Lawrence a Means, and VIP Internet Stable.
Mike Bozich