The Rocknroll Hanover mare Rock N Shard N seems headed for Open company as she won for the third time in her four-race United States career, a 1:51.3 mile over a “sloppy +1” surface in the $17,000 distaff pacing feature during a Friday evening card at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Driver Art Stafford Jr. patiently guided Rock N Shard N on her uncovered grind from sixth while Newsday went to the front and set fractions of :27, :55.4 and 1:23.1. These two were close to being on even terms as they turned for home, but despite the overland journey Rock N Shard N proved the stronger late, two lengths to the good of Newsday, with pocket-sitting Ghosttothepost third.
The Kiwi mare is another of a long line of successes for trainer Joshua Parker over the last couple of seasons; Parker also owns Rock N Shard N with Nanticoke Racing Inc. and Barry Spedden.
There were a pair of $16,000 co-features on the card, one for the distaff side-wheeling set on the “Filly And Mare Friday” card. In that contest, the Captaintreacherous sophomore filly Treacherous Reign proved ready to go from the word “go,” taking her 2019 bow in 1:52.2. Driver George Napolitano Jr., a five-time winner on the night, surrendered early control to Stonebridge Soul, but was on the move with the winner past the quarter to reassert command, and Treacherous Reign rocketed home in :54.4 - :27.12 over the off going to be well-clear of Stonebridge Soul at the line for trainer Tony Alagna and the ownership of Alagna Racing LLC, Big Als Stables, Let It Ride Stables Inc., and Mr. Dana Parham.
In the co-feature for trotters, the Lucky Chucky mare Lucky Sheila swung wide off of cover late on the far turn, then just had enough to catch pacesetter Spee Club by a neck in a lifetime-best 1:56.2. Pat Berry did the driving for trainer Chris Marino and Robert Weinstein.
The World’s Fastest Trotter, Homicide Hunter (1:48.4 at Lexington last year), drew post one for a $30,000 Great Northeast Open Series contest for trotters on Sunday. He has to have better luck than he did last week in his 2019 bow at Pocono, where he drew the outside post eight, tucked in, then got shuffled back and could not enter contention. A better trip seems likely for Homicide Hunter and driver Yannick Gingras in the horse’s second trip for trainer Ron Burke, though first leg winner Meladys Money may have something to say about that.
Despite two horses at odds of longer than 60-1 cracking the top five in Friday night's fifth race at Harrah's Philadelphia, multiple players once again hit the Jackpot Hi-5, lifting the carryover past the $29,000 mark.
Hurrikane Shorty ($9.40, Tony Morgan) keyed a 5-4-9-7-8 combination — also absent 8-5 favourite Narcian Jewel — that returned $419.84 to multiple winners. The carryover now stands at $29,155.90 for the next instance of the Jackpot Hi-5, slated for Sunday afternoon.
The 20-cent wager occurs daily in the fifth race, with the carryover paid out in the event of one unique winner. In the event of no or multiple winners, the carryover progresses to the next card.
First post on Sunday is 12:40 p.m. Eastern.
(With files from PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)