A field of six classy mares lined up behind the starter for the opening day feature from Harrah's Philadelphia, a Winners Over $25,000 Lifetime on the pace.
The wagering public sent Bamond Racing's Venus Delight off as the 7-5 favourite. The daughter of Bettors Delight was coming off of a solid victory in a division of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at Yonkers.
At the start, it was the public's second choice, Radar Contact (Andrew McCarthy), firing quickly off the wings, securing the lead before the quarter (:28.1). The seven-year-old held the lead until the five-eighths. That's when Ron Burke trainee Charisma Hanover (Brett Miller) powered past first-over, with Venus Delight (Tim Tetrick) loosely tracking that live cover. After a :55.1 middle half, Charisma Hanover turned for home well clear as the others battled for minor awards. It was was the 20th career win for Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi's five-year-old daughter of Dragon Again, who went on to complete the mile in 1:51.3. Radar Contact battled back for place, while Venus Delight settled for third. The winner returned $10.00.
In other opening day highlights, driver Tony Morgan picked up career win number 15,000 aboard Lightning Moon in the first race of the new meet. Morgan is now one of three North American drivers with over 15,000 lifetime wins. The first race was also named in honour of Tom Izzo, a former Harrah's Philadelphia employee who passed away last year.
Last season's leading driver George Napolitano Jr. had four wins on the program.
Live racing continues at Harrah's Philadelphia on Sunday, with a first post of 12:40 p.m.
(With files from Harrah's Philadelphia)