Driver Ron Pierce made five trips to the winner’s circle Sunday (November) during Harrah’s Philadelphia’s 14-dash program.
Pierce’s notched his first win of the card in Race 2 with Rocketpedia ($8.00) and recorded his second victory in Race 5 while aboard Withmewithoutme ($3.20).
The polished reinsman was back in the winner’s circle after Race 8, which he won with Great Emancipator ($18.60). He followed that win up with another score in Race 9, which he copped with Upscale Hanover ($3.80).
Pierce capped off his five-win performance in Race 10 with Aled Hanover ($15.60).
A field of seven lined up for the card’s featured event, a pace for non-winners of $17,500 in their last five starts. It was an even betting board, as four horses were sent off at odds between 2 and 3-1.
At the start, Marita Berglund lessee Dial Or Nodial (driven by David Miller) left alertly from Post 8. He securing the lead by the :26.4 opening quarter. The lead was short lived, however, as three-year-old National Debt surged up to take command.
The duo reached the opening half in :54.3 (:27.4). As they started up the backstretch, Ron Burke trainee Bad Boy Matt (Yannick Gingras) moved first-over to challenge, with Kiwi Ideal N (Tim Tetrick) establishing second-over position.
Three-quarters was clocked in 1:22.1 (:27.3). In the stretch, it was Kiwi Ideal N who closed sharply to win by one length. The mile was timed in 1:50.3 (:27.4). Dial Or Nodial rallied up the inside for second, while Bad Boy Matt finished third.
Kiwi Ideal N ($8.40) picked up his second straight win for owner Jessica Cassar. The six-year-old gelding is trained by Darran Cassar.
The card’s Pick 4 was not hit, therefore there will be a carryover of $3,094.15 heading into the track’s Wednesday program. The Pick 4 starts in Race 7. Post time for the track’s Wednesday card is 12:40 p.m.
(With files from Harrah’s Philadelphia)