O'Brien Award winner McWicked made his 2015 debut in the featured event at Harrah's Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon (July 26), an Open Pace going for a purse of $30,000.
After back-to-back qualifiers at The Meadowlands, the now four-year-old son of McCardle was coming off of a memorable three-year-old campaign, which included a victory in the Breeder's Crown in late November.
The favourite coming in, however, was the Jerry Taylor Invitational winner Great Vintage. The 30-time winner took two of his last three coming in, with the latest victory overcoming the eight-hole against Open company at Yonkers.
Great Vintage (Scott Zeron) wasted no time getting into gear, leaving aggressively from post four securing the front end. The seven-year-old son of American Ideal set fractions of :26.3, :55.2, and 1:22.1. McWicked (Dave Miller) took back at the start from post seven, taking up third over position. In the stretch, Great Vintage was able to get away, building an insurmountable lead, holding off the fast-closing McWicked by two lengths in the end. The final time was 1:50.1.
The Jimmy Takter-trained Great Vintage is now five-for-eight in the win column this season, for the ownership group of Christina Takter, John Fielding, Goran Anderberg and Goran Falk.
In other news, millionaire trotter Sevruga (Andy Miller) overcame a second tier starting spot to prevail in a winner's over $25,000 lifetime trot going for a purse of $24,000. The seven-year-old son of SJs Caviar was able to grind first over to narrowly defeat the front-stepping My Love Bi (George Napolitano Jr.), winning by a head in 1:54.3. Favourite DWs NY Yank (Matt Kakaley) overcame an early break to finish third. It was the 35th career win for Sevruga, who is owned by Joe P Racing and trained by Julie Miller.
(With files from Harrah's Philadelphia)