A field of eight mid-level conditioned pacers lined up behind the starter for the Wednesday feature from Harrah's Philadelphia.
The wagering public put their support behind veteran gelding McClelland (Brett Miller). The eight-year-old son of Cams Card Shark is a 32-time winner, with career earnings of over $435,000.
At the start, it was the classy Southwestern Dream (Yannick Gingras) leaving aggressively from the outside. He was parked to an opening quarter in :27. His lead was short-lived, however, as Yonkers invader Ideal Champ (Tim Tetrick) quickly wheeled by just after the quarter-pole. After a half in :55.2 (:28.2), Ideal Champ was challenged by race favourite McClelland, who drew within a half-length of the leader at three-quarters, which was timed in 1:22.3 (:27.1). As they turned for home, Ideal Champ kicked away from a stalling McClelland to win by three lengths, stopping the clock in 1:50.4 (:28). Southwestern Dream finished second, while Ooh Bad Boy (David Miller) rallied for third. The winner paid $11.40, keying an exacta that paid $33.80, and a trifecta worth $279.60.
Ideal Champ was one of two winners for owner Francis Azur and trainer Kevin McDermott.
In other news, driver Tim Tetrick had six driving wins on the afternoon, following up Yannick Gingras' six driving wins on Sunday's program. Tetrick is approximately 20 wins behind George Napolitano Jr. in the driving standings, with Yannick Gingras currently third.
Harrah's Philadelphia will have a special post time on Friday, October 31 of 2:30 p.m.
(Harrah's Philadelphia)