Betterthanthebeach, a $250,000 yearling who had a total of six starts at two and three while showing promise, was sold after his three-year-old year, and he continued to show real talent for his new connections Friday, winning the $12,600 tri-feature at Harrah’s Philadelphia that was devoted to pacing males.
A son of Somebeachsomewhere who is the first foal out of My Little Delight, whose dam was the $2.3M-winning world champion My Little Dragon, Betterthanthebeach followed cover for driver Andrew McCarthy (a five-time winner on the day) then made a big three-wide move on the final turn and drew away from overmatched opposition to win in 1:51.3. He is 3-for-4 this season, took a mark of 1:51 at Pocono, and gives every indication he’ll be able to handle class rises for trainer Tony Alagna and the ownership of 4 Leaf Racing.
In the distaff pacing topliner, second choice Shezafreaklikeme had the lead from her first-over spot before the three-quarters but could not clear to the inside, much to the delight of favoured second-over Wicked Ways, who enjoyed live cover to the stretch, then was able to outpace her rival by a neck while taking a new mark of 1:52.4. Pat Lachance was in the sulky behind the winning three-year-old daughter of Captaintreacherous, who is trained by Ron Burke, the meet’s leading conditioner, for Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Larry Karr, and J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby.
The Creatine filly Argyle is undefeated in three starts for trainer Julie Miller after an open-length 1:55.1 victory in the featured trot. This horse cannot properly be called a member of “Team Orange Crush,” however, as driver Tyler Miller was wearing the colors of owner Diamond Creek Racing while getting another impressive victory out of the sophomore.
In an $11,200 fast-class pacing event, Andrew McCarthy had the Somebeachsomewhere gelding Chaser Hanover on the move before a :25.4 quarter, made the lead in front of the stands, put up middle splits of :53.4 and 1:21.3, then finished out strongly to equal his mark of 1:49.3. Joesstar Of Mia A, who hung up the blazing first number to be behind the favoured “Chaser” once that one made his inevitable move to the top, did stay close, but couldn’t defeat the winner of $150,805, who is trained by Stacy Chiodo for Timothy Tobias Stable LLC.
Sunday’s features will be a pair of $14,400 paces for the up-and-coming type, mixed with four $13,000 pacing events featuring established fast-class types. To obtain program pages for the 12:40 card, click here.
(PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)