No tricks needed for Focus Pocus

CHESTER PA – The weekly “Trottin’ Thursday” harness racing card at Harrah’s Philadelphia was contested over a sloppy track, but the off going did not stop Focus Pocus and Lucy Mae Hanover from collecting victories in the $14,400 trotting features.

The Muscle Massive gelding Focus Pocus left the gate strongly for driver Corey Callahan and was never threatened in his 1:55.4 victory, with the nearest challenger, 2¾ lengths back at the finish, being Harlequin, who photoed out Focus Pocus last time out. But the tables were turned this week for trainer Linda Schadel, who also co-owns the winner with husband Tony.

FOCUS POCUS REPLAY

The Cantab Hall mare Lucy Mae Hanover enjoyed sitting off contested fractions, went up second-over, then was tipped three-wide on the far turn by driver Vinny Ginsburg and held off closer Willing Hanover by 1¼ lengths in 1:56.4. Lucy Mae Hanover has now won two of three seasonal starts for trainer Richard Titter, also a co-owner with Susan Titter, Deborah Carman, and Larry Garber.

LUCY MAE HANOVER

In a $13,000 event for fast-class trotters, the Archangel gelding Angel Nation took his second straight race and continued in a rich patch of form, going wire-to-wire over talented rivals in 1:53.3. Driver Tyler Miller took some of the sting of his closest opposition with a :27.3 third quarter, then held off pocketsitting Izoh by a half-length for trainer Julie Miller and the partnership of Legendary Standardbred Farm and Ted MacDonnell.

ANGEL NATION REPLAY

Russell Foster led all drivers on the day with three winners, including $101.60 shocker Massive Matter. This was Foster’s second $100+ horse of the meeting; he’s the only sulkysitter with that distinction. The longshot victory came in the penultimate thirteenth race; half the six $100 winners at the meet have been part of the Late Double.

The $12,600 Friday features are again divided in three: one each of the trio for each sex of pacers, and the other for trotters. Post time is 12:25 p.m.; program pages are available at www.phha.org/harrahspps.html.

For full race results, click here.

From PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia