In the $14,400 featured pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Friday (May 26), the four-year-old Always B Miki gelding Dontpassme Hanover did the passing, catching favoured pacesetter Rouser Hanover while taking a lifetime mark of 1:52.
There were two “quarter-movers” after others argued the :28.2 opener — first Dontpassme Hanover, who gained the lead in front of the stands, and then Rouser Hanover, who followed his rival then continued on to grab the top and post middle fractions of :56.3 and 1:24.2. Turning for home Rouser Hanover retained command, but Dontpassme Hanover soon was making inside headway, and caught the chalk by a neck. Marcus Miller engineered the winning drive behind Dontpassme Hanover for trainer Mark Harder, who is also co-owner with Rick Phillips.
There was an $11,200 pace for fast-class performers held after a storm came through, changing the track to “sloppy +2”. It was taken by the Well Said gelding Dragon Said, who gained the lead past the quarter, forced early challenger Bank Sea into the pocket behind him, then was equal to a late challenge from that rival, finishing a neck to the good in 1:52.1 The career earner of $291,637 gave Marcus Miller a sweep of the day’s top paces. Jenn Bongiorno conditions the sharp winner for Robert Devine.
Twenty-year-old James "Trey" Porter III sprung the biggest upset of the meet to date when he brought home All Youcanbet to a 1:54 victory at a mutuel of $166.40, more than twice what any other winner has paid at Philly so far this year. Porter now has guided home three $50+ winners; no other driver has more than one.
Harrah’s Philadelphia is proud to be presenting its $600,000+ Super Sunday card, starting at 12:40 p.m. on May 29. Featured are three Invitationals: the $100,000 Maxie Lee Trot, the $100,000 Betsy Ross Pace for mares, and the $100,000 Commodore Barry Pace, for which the respective early favourites are Amazing Dream N, When Dovescry, and Nicholas Beach. There is also Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action featuring the 2022 debut of freshman pacing filly champion Niki Hill; Stallion Series races; three $30,000 “#senditin” Open events – just a great 15-race card with top horses and horsemen coming to southeast Pennsylvania on Sunday. Program pages are available at the PHHA website.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)