Alluneedisfaith N ($4.60) patiently rode along in the pocket before pouncing at head-stretch and dueling down Love Me Some Lou for a 1:50.2 victory in the opening day (Sunday, June 21) feature at Harrah's Philadelphia, a $14,400 top-level conditioned pace.
The six-year-old Art Major gelding and driver George Napolitano Jr. strode clear from post 3 and controlled a :27.3 opening quarter before ceding command to Love Me Some Lou (David Miller), who brushed from third off the first turn. Alluneedisfaith N was content to draft behind Love Me Some Lou through middle splits of :56 and 1:23.2 before emerging off the home turn to reengage Love Me Some Lou, who refused to back down. Alluneedisfaith N dug in to prevail by three-quarters of a length, while Love Me Some Lou remained a clear runner-up, 1-3/4 lengths better than the chasing Ana Afreet N (Tony Morgan).
Ross Croghan trains 16-time winner Alluneedisfaith N for the Robert Cooper Stables LLC. The featured win was one of four on the day for Napolitano, whose driving grand slam was matched by Jordan Stratton.
Racing returns to Harrah's Philadelphia on Wednesday (June 24), with a 14-race card slated for a 12:25 p.m. first post.
(Harrah's Philadelphia)