After pulling a 24-1 upset in a lifetime-best 1:49.2 last week, Chris Temming's Gumption ($13.40) outlasted a host of challengers to capture Sunday's (Dec. 12) featured $16,200 top-level conditioned pace at Harrah's Philadelphia.
The step up in class brought markedly tougher competition along with it, but the five-year-old Captaintreacherous gelding proved up to the challenge. After yielding to 1-5 favourite Stars Align A early, Gumption and driver Tony Morgan reemerged to control the pace after a :27 first quarter. Gumption rated a :55.3 half before facing a first-over bid from Twin B Tuffenuff up the backstretch, and the two dueled to three-quarters in 1:23. Not only did Gumption turn aside that rival, but also out-sprinted the three-wide stretch charge of Father Nuno — whom George Napolitano Jr. tipped off cover on the final turn — by a length in 1:51.4. Stars Align A was a one-paced third from the pocket.
The win was Gumption's seventh of the season and the 15th of his career.
Simon Allard led all drivers with four wins on the 12-race card; Marcus Miller won three races.
Racing returns to Harrah's Philadelphia on Thursday (Dec. 16); post time is 12:25 p.m. (EST).
(Harrah's Philadelphia)