Sunday afternoon harness action heats up
Temperatures throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region rose quickly over the weekend and the pacers and trotters at a trio of five-eighths mile ovals appeared to thrive amid the moderating conditions.
Sunday afternoon at Harrah's Philadelphia - still commonly referred to as 'Chester' by serious and novice fans alike - Grantmeawish (Tim Tetrick) lived up to his role as the 1-5 favorite in a non-winners of five races or $50,000 lifetime class when he gained command before the opener in 27.4, got a breather by the half in 57 flat, met token pressure by three-quarters in 1:24.3 then held safe Annihilation (Corey Callahan) for a length score in 1:52.1 in his first try for trainer Josh Green after 17 outings in Canada.
One race later in a non-winners of $20,000 last five starts for older pacers, Grand Teton (Yannick Gingras) gained command from 12-1 Mach It So (David Miller) past the opener in 27.2, rolled by the midway station in 56.1, raced unpressed by three-quarters in 1:23.2 then edged clear late to a two-length score in 1:51 flat as the 4-5 choice. A four-year-old Rocknroll Hanover stallion trained by Per Engblom, Grand Teton prevailed handily in his seasonal debut and now owns a 9-9-3 slate and nearly $510,000 banked from 32 career tries.
Then one race later in a non-winners of $10,000 last five starts class for older pacers, Tact Tate N (Corey Callahan) saved ground in third through the first three calls, angled out turning for home and rallied strongly in the lane to overhaul 7-5 choice Robbie Burns N (Dexter Dunn) to score by nearly a length in 1:51.3. An eight-year-old McArdle gelding trained by Ross Croghan, Tact Tate N notched his second win in 10 starts this year and now owns 17 wins and over $290,000 banked from 60 career tries.
Two races later in a non-winners of $14,000 last five starts class for pacers, Mohawk Warrior (Tetrick) delivered mild 2-1 upset when he brushed to command before the half in 56.3, raced unpressed down the backside and by three-quarters in 1:24.4 then held safe Pepper Guy (Dunn) for a two-length score in 1:53. A seven-year-old Rocknroll Hanover stallion trained by Paul Stafford, Mohawk Warrior recorded his first win in six starts this year and now wons
That same afternoon at Rosecroft Raceway, In Record Time (Tyler Davis) kicked off the card by flaunting his abundant speed en route to a three-length score in 1:52 flat in a $7,500 claiming event. Sent out as the 9-5 favorite from post seven, In Record Time cleared his inside rivals to gain command in a 26.1 opener, rolled by the half in 53.3, raced unpressed down the backside and by three-quarters in 1:22 then cruised home three lengths clear in 1:52.
An eight-year-old By A Length gelding trained by Michael Greene, In Record Time posted his second win in his last three starts, his third victory in his last five outings and he now sports four wins and $15,000 banked from eight seasonal tries. In Record Time has always displayed ample speed and on Sunday he recorded his 26th win from 81 career outings, pushed his bankroll toward $120,000 and lowered his lifetime mark in the process.
Then one race later in the $9,000 "Winners Over" class for trotters, Lindy's Big Bang (Richard Still) lived up to his role as the 4-5 choice when he raced parked from post seven to gain command in a 28.2 opener, maintained an honest tempo by the half in 56.3 and by three-quarters in 1:25 then held safe the inside late bid of 7-1 Speed It (John Wagner) to score by nearly a length in 1:54.2. A four-year-old Explosive Matter gelding trained and driven by Still for owner Midsize Construction, Lindy's Big Bang recorded his third victory in his last four tries and now owns a 10-3-3 slate and over $196,000 banked from 33 career tries. Last season at age three Lindy's Big Bang won the Dexter Cup at Freehold Raceway and finished fifth in the Grade I Yonkers Trot, but he was a rather modest purchase at the fall sales and looks destined for a superb local campaign.
Two races later in a non-winners of three races lifetime class, Trump That Rusty (Eddie Davis, Jr.) overcame post nine to gain command past the opener in 26.2, got a breather to the half in 56 flat, rolled by three-quarters in 1:25 then sprinted clear of pocket-sitting Owzitgoin (Frank Milby) to score by three lengths in 1:53 as the tepid 8-5 favorite. A sophomore son of Rusty's For Real trained by Dylan Davis, Trump That Rusty recorded his second win in five days after crushing his foes by seven lengths in 1:56.1 on the Wednesday card.
One race later in a non-winners of $2,500 last four starts class for older pacers, Spinout (Kenneth Weckstein) forged a mild upset as the 5-2 second choice when he brushed to command before the half in 56 flat, raced unpressed down the backside and by three-quarters in 1:24.4 then held safe Tidewater Titan (Brian Burton) to score by nearly a length in 1:53.4. An eight-year-old Spin Out gelding trained by Ken Schlotzhauer for Weckstein, Spinout recorded his second win in seven starts this year and now sports 30 victories and nearly $340,000 banked from 139 career tries.
Then one race later in the featured $10,000 Open Handicap for older pacers, McKenry (Bret Brittingham) left alertly from post seven and raced parked to gain command from Hickory Aloha (Timmy Offutt) past a 26.1 opener, got a modest breather to the half in 54.4, raced by three-quarters unpressed in 1:23.2 then held safe the pocket horse through the lane to score by two lengths in 1:51.3.
A seven-year-old McArdle gelding trained by Donald Brittingham for owners Peter & Toni Gray, McKenry notched his third win from 11 starts this year and now owns 22 wins and nearly $240,000 from 83 career tries. McKenry has always displayed a fondness for the Rosecroft oval and two years ago he was named the track's horse of the meet by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association.
Then two races later in the other non-winners of $2,501 last four starts class for older pacers, Rock N Row (Allan Davis) easily lived up to his role as the 4-5 favorite when he quarter moved to command, maintained an honest tempo by the half in 55.3, raced unpressed by three-quarters in 1:24.4 then drew clear from Toms Tornado (Russell Foster) to a three-length score in 1:54.1. The seven-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven gelding trained by Willard Reynolds recorded his first win in two starts this year and boasts 20 wins and nearly $135,000 banked from 128 career tries.
Then one race later in a non-winners of $4,001 last four starts class for older pacers, Foxland (Sean Bier) overcame post nine and his serious longshot status when he rallied third over and widest of all and wore down Talking Blues (Frank Milby) in the lane for a neck score at 70-1 in 1:52.4. A 12-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding owned and trained by Jason Walters, Foxland posted his second win in four starts since being claimed for $5,000 on February 24.
One race later in a non-winners of $6,000 last four starts class for pacers, John's Dream (Chuck Perry, Jr.) just lived up to his role as the 3-5 choice while exiting the Open Handicap when he gained command in a 27.2, got a breather by the half in 56.2, met token pressure from Lloyd's All In (Jared Moyer) down the backside, shook loose from that one then held safe the late inside bid of 30-1 Disturbia (Russell Foster) for a head victory in 1:52.
A six-year-old Dream Away gelding owned, trained and driven by Perry, John's Dream recorded his first win in four starts this year and now owns 27 victories and $264,000 banked from 58 career tries. A former Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund champion, John's Dream looks poised to rejoin the Open next week and should have a solid campaign. Perry trainee Yeahboyyeah has finished second four times in as many starts this year.
Then one race later in another non-winners of $4,001 last four condition for pacers, Diamondkeeper (John Wagner) just lived up to his role as the 7-5 favorite when he raced first over before the half and through the far turn and eventually wore down 2-1 second choice Kiss A Dragon (Russell Foster) for a length score in 1:52.2. An eight-year-old Pine Valley gelding owned and trained by Basil Sapienza, Diamondkeeper notched his third win from 10 starts this year and now boasts 38 wins and over $343,000 banked from 132 career outings.
One race later in the penultimate event on the card, Prince Clyde (Declan Donoway) gained command from post seven before a 26 flat opener, rolled by the half in 54 flat and by three-quarters in 1:22 flat then romped home three lengths clear in 1:50.3, easily the fastest mile of the night. An eight-year-old Camluck gelding trained by Darren Ferrell, Prince Clyde notched his second win in nine starts this year and now boasts 34 wins and over $365,000 banked from 169 career outings.
Later that evening at Pocono Downs in the first of three Weiss divisions for three- and four-year-old trotters, Higgs Boson (Fern Paquet, Jr.) overcame an extended first over bid down the backside to clear Chapter And Ruth (Simon Allard) on the far turn then held safe the late bid of 37-1 outsider Keystone Thunder (Eric Carlson) to score by a length in 1:57.2. A four-year-old Explosive Matter gelding owned and trained by David Wiest, Higgs Boson recorded his first win in three starts this year and now owns a 2-3-11 slate and nearly $54,000 banked from 34 lifetime outings.
Then two races later in the second Weiss split, Hammer Creek (Mike Simons) rallied from well off the pace and wore down 1-5 choice Dover Dony (Allard) for a nose score in 1:55.1. A four-year-old Conway Hall gelding trained by Kenneth Hess, Jr., Hammer Creek notched his second win from 10 starts this year and now owns a 3-9-8 slate and $60,000 banked from 33 career tries and lowered his lifetime mark by three seconds in the process.
Sunday afternoon at Harrah's Philadelphia - still commonly referred to as 'Chester' by serious and novice fans alike - Grantmeawish (Tim Tetrick) lived up to his role as the 1-5 favorite in a non-winners of five races or $50,000 lifetime class when he gained command before the opener in 27.4, got a breather by the half in 57 flat, met token pressure by three-quarters in 1:24.3 then held safe Annihilation (Corey Callahan) for a length score in 1:52.1 in his first try for trainer Josh Green after 17 outings in Canada.
One race later in a non-winners of $20,000 last five starts for older pacers, Grand Teton (Yannick Gingras) gained command from 12-1 Mach It So (David Miller) past the opener in 27.2, rolled by the midway station in 56.1, raced unpressed by three-quarters in 1:23.2 then edged clear late to a two-length score in 1:51 flat as the 4-5 choice. A four-year-old Rocknroll Hanover stallion trained by Per Engblom, Grand Teton prevailed handily in his seasonal debut and now owns a 9-9-3 slate and nearly $510,000 banked from 32 career tries.
Then one race later in a non-winners of $10,000 last five starts class for older pacers, Tact Tate N (Corey Callahan) saved ground in third through the first three calls, angled out turning for home and rallied strongly in the lane to overhaul 7-5 choice Robbie Burns N (Dexter Dunn) to score by nearly a length in 1:51.3. An eight-year-old McArdle gelding trained by Ross Croghan, Tact Tate N notched his second win in 10 starts this year and now owns 17 wins and over $290,000 banked from 60 career tries.
Two races later in a non-winners of $14,000 last five starts class for pacers, Mohawk Warrior (Tetrick) delivered mild 2-1 upset when he brushed to command before the half in 56.3, raced unpressed down the backside and by three-quarters in 1:24.4 then held safe Pepper Guy (Dunn) for a two-length score in 1:53. A seven-year-old Rocknroll Hanover stallion trained by Paul Stafford, Mohawk Warrior recorded his first win in six starts this year and now wons
That same afternoon at Rosecroft Raceway, In Record Time (Tyler Davis) kicked off the card by flaunting his abundant speed en route to a three-length score in 1:52 flat in a $7,500 claiming event. Sent out as the 9-5 favorite from post seven, In Record Time cleared his inside rivals to gain command in a 26.1 opener, rolled by the half in 53.3, raced unpressed down the backside and by three-quarters in 1:22 then cruised home three lengths clear in 1:52.
An eight-year-old By A Length gelding trained by Michael Greene, In Record Time posted his second win in his last three starts, his third victory in his last five outings and he now sports four wins and $15,000 banked from eight seasonal tries. In Record Time has always displayed ample speed and on Sunday he recorded his 26th win from 81 career outings, pushed his bankroll toward $120,000 and lowered his lifetime mark in the process.
Then one race later in the $9,000 "Winners Over" class for trotters, Lindy's Big Bang (Richard Still) lived up to his role as the 4-5 choice when he raced parked from post seven to gain command in a 28.2 opener, maintained an honest tempo by the half in 56.3 and by three-quarters in 1:25 then held safe the inside late bid of 7-1 Speed It (John Wagner) to score by nearly a length in 1:54.2. A four-year-old Explosive Matter gelding trained and driven by Still for owner Midsize Construction, Lindy's Big Bang recorded his third victory in his last four tries and now owns a 10-3-3 slate and over $196,000 banked from 33 career tries. Last season at age three Lindy's Big Bang won the Dexter Cup at Freehold Raceway and finished fifth in the Grade I Yonkers Trot, but he was a rather modest purchase at the fall sales and looks destined for a superb local campaign.
Two races later in a non-winners of three races lifetime class, Trump That Rusty (Eddie Davis, Jr.) overcame post nine to gain command past the opener in 26.2, got a breather to the half in 56 flat, rolled by three-quarters in 1:25 then sprinted clear of pocket-sitting Owzitgoin (Frank Milby) to score by three lengths in 1:53 as the tepid 8-5 favorite. A sophomore son of Rusty's For Real trained by Dylan Davis, Trump That Rusty recorded his second win in five days after crushing his foes by seven lengths in 1:56.1 on the Wednesday card.
One race later in a non-winners of $2,500 last four starts class for older pacers, Spinout (Kenneth Weckstein) forged a mild upset as the 5-2 second choice when he brushed to command before the half in 56 flat, raced unpressed down the backside and by three-quarters in 1:24.4 then held safe Tidewater Titan (Brian Burton) to score by nearly a length in 1:53.4. An eight-year-old Spin Out gelding trained by Ken Schlotzhauer for Weckstein, Spinout recorded his second win in seven starts this year and now sports 30 victories and nearly $340,000 banked from 139 career tries.
Then one race later in the featured $10,000 Open Handicap for older pacers, McKenry (Bret Brittingham) left alertly from post seven and raced parked to gain command from Hickory Aloha (Timmy Offutt) past a 26.1 opener, got a modest breather to the half in 54.4, raced by three-quarters unpressed in 1:23.2 then held safe the pocket horse through the lane to score by two lengths in 1:51.3.
A seven-year-old McArdle gelding trained by Donald Brittingham for owners Peter & Toni Gray, McKenry notched his third win from 11 starts this year and now owns 22 wins and nearly $240,000 from 83 career tries. McKenry has always displayed a fondness for the Rosecroft oval and two years ago he was named the track's horse of the meet by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association.
Then two races later in the other non-winners of $2,501 last four starts class for older pacers, Rock N Row (Allan Davis) easily lived up to his role as the 4-5 favorite when he quarter moved to command, maintained an honest tempo by the half in 55.3, raced unpressed by three-quarters in 1:24.4 then drew clear from Toms Tornado (Russell Foster) to a three-length score in 1:54.1. The seven-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven gelding trained by Willard Reynolds recorded his first win in two starts this year and boasts 20 wins and nearly $135,000 banked from 128 career tries.
Then one race later in a non-winners of $4,001 last four starts class for older pacers, Foxland (Sean Bier) overcame post nine and his serious longshot status when he rallied third over and widest of all and wore down Talking Blues (Frank Milby) in the lane for a neck score at 70-1 in 1:52.4. A 12-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding owned and trained by Jason Walters, Foxland posted his second win in four starts since being claimed for $5,000 on February 24.
One race later in a non-winners of $6,000 last four starts class for pacers, John's Dream (Chuck Perry, Jr.) just lived up to his role as the 3-5 choice while exiting the Open Handicap when he gained command in a 27.2, got a breather by the half in 56.2, met token pressure from Lloyd's All In (Jared Moyer) down the backside, shook loose from that one then held safe the late inside bid of 30-1 Disturbia (Russell Foster) for a head victory in 1:52.
A six-year-old Dream Away gelding owned, trained and driven by Perry, John's Dream recorded his first win in four starts this year and now owns 27 victories and $264,000 banked from 58 career tries. A former Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund champion, John's Dream looks poised to rejoin the Open next week and should have a solid campaign. Perry trainee Yeahboyyeah has finished second four times in as many starts this year.
Then one race later in another non-winners of $4,001 last four condition for pacers, Diamondkeeper (John Wagner) just lived up to his role as the 7-5 favorite when he raced first over before the half and through the far turn and eventually wore down 2-1 second choice Kiss A Dragon (Russell Foster) for a length score in 1:52.2. An eight-year-old Pine Valley gelding owned and trained by Basil Sapienza, Diamondkeeper notched his third win from 10 starts this year and now boasts 38 wins and over $343,000 banked from 132 career outings.
One race later in the penultimate event on the card, Prince Clyde (Declan Donoway) gained command from post seven before a 26 flat opener, rolled by the half in 54 flat and by three-quarters in 1:22 flat then romped home three lengths clear in 1:50.3, easily the fastest mile of the night. An eight-year-old Camluck gelding trained by Darren Ferrell, Prince Clyde notched his second win in nine starts this year and now boasts 34 wins and over $365,000 banked from 169 career outings.
Later that evening at Pocono Downs in the first of three Weiss divisions for three- and four-year-old trotters, Higgs Boson (Fern Paquet, Jr.) overcame an extended first over bid down the backside to clear Chapter And Ruth (Simon Allard) on the far turn then held safe the late bid of 37-1 outsider Keystone Thunder (Eric Carlson) to score by a length in 1:57.2. A four-year-old Explosive Matter gelding owned and trained by David Wiest, Higgs Boson recorded his first win in three starts this year and now owns a 2-3-11 slate and nearly $54,000 banked from 34 lifetime outings.
Then two races later in the second Weiss split, Hammer Creek (Mike Simons) rallied from well off the pace and wore down 1-5 choice Dover Dony (Allard) for a nose score in 1:55.1. A four-year-old Conway Hall gelding trained by Kenneth Hess, Jr., Hammer Creek notched his second win from 10 starts this year and now owns a 3-9-8 slate and $60,000 banked from 33 career tries and lowered his lifetime mark by three seconds in the process.
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