A quartet of $12,600 paces, two for males and two for females, headed the Wednesday (May 26) program at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
The faster of the male winners was the American Ideal sophomore colt Ill Drink To That, who made an early move to control the pace and then held off major danger Transparency by 1-1/4 lengths to reduce his mark to 1:51. Dexter Dunn guided the Chris Ryder trainee for Craig Henderson, Lawrence Minowitz, Robert Mondillo and Oompa’s Farm Inc.
In the other section for “the boys,” the Always B Miki sophomore Grand Cayman advanced uncovered to make the lead in the lane, and then paced away from favoured Carrythetorchman by 3-1/4 lengths to lower his speed badge to 1:54. Tim Tetrick drove for trainer Michael Hall, who shares ownership with CTC Stable and Howard Taylor.
In the quicker section of the distaff co-features, Jane Diamond won in her for owner Ginnis Stables LLC and trainer Michael Russo. Corey Callahan got the Somebeachsomewhere sophomore filly a good early position, then came up the passing lane to give her a lifetime best of 1:52 while defeating the closing French Shaker by a neck.
Dexter Dunn, who led all drivers on the day with three victories, won with the American Ideal filly Itzpapalotl in the other cut, lowering her mark to 1:53 – while returning $102.80 to win. The sophomore soared four-wide off the final bend and just caught Captains Maid by a head for trainer Anette Lorentzon and Knutsson Trotting Inc.
In an $11,200 event for fast-class older pacers, Caviart Max brushed to the lead down the backstretch up the backstretch and won nicely while taking a lifetime best of 1:51.1. The altered son of Pet Rock was handled by David Miller for trainer Bill MacKenzie and owners Vincent Ali Jr. and Alma Iafelice while winning for the 20th time in 47 lifetime starts.
(PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)