The developing Andover Hall sophomore trotting filly Newell Place won her second straight start at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Friday afternoon (July 22), stopping the timer in 1:55.4 on a hot day.
Come-from-behind horses are usually disadvantaged over the speed-favouring Philly oval, but fortunately no one has explained this to Newell Place – never better than fifth on her charted lines at the quarter, the three-year-old moved up in the second half while second-over behind good cover, moved to the lead towards mid-stretch, then withstood the inside thrust of pocket-sitter College Tuition by three-quarters of a length. Troy Beyer drove Newell Place for trainer John Calabrese and Calabrese Farms LLC.
The co-featured $12,600 trot winners were both trained by Lorie Davis, and co-owned by her with Paul Ray Davis Jr. Also, both winners were Explosive Matter sophomore geldings. First to come back to Victory Lane was Target Practice, who set most of the pace and held on for a 1:56 final time for his second win in a row, then it was Just The Facts's turn as he also took control during the second quarter and came home first in 1:57.1, a new mark, under Trey Porter’s guidance.
The American Harness Drivers Club for amateur horsemen again paraded postward four times. John Calabrese, who trained feature winner Newell Place, drove Shaving Mug to an AHDC victory. Other winners were Johnathan Ahle, who continued his recent rich vein of form with an AHDC double behind Hes Rockin Ralphie and Warrawee Total, and Mark Schullstrom with Big Stretch Mark.
There will be a mix of competitive races for both upcoming stock and fast-class veterans during the Sunday card at Harrah’s Philadelphia, which begins at 12:40 p.m. There will also be a carryover of $2,403.06 going into the Pick-5 bet, held on races five through nine.
(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)