Gumption outlasts cavalry charge in Philly

CHESTER, Pa. — After pulling a stunning 24-1 upset in a lifetime best 1:49.2 last week, harness racing trainer Chris Temming’s Gumption ($13.40) outlasted a host of challengers to capture Sunday’s (Dec. 12) featured $16,200 top-level conditioned pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

The step up in class brought markedly tougher competition along with it, but the 5-year-old Captaintreacherous gelding proved up to the challenge.

After yielding to 1-5 favorite Stars Align A (Joe Bongiorno) early, Gumption and driver Tony Morgan reemerged to control the pace after a :27 first quarter. Gumption rated a :55.3 half before facing a first-over bid from Twin B Tuffenuff up the backstretch, and the two dueled to three-quarters in 1:23.

Not only did Gumption turn aside that rival, but also out-sprinted the three-wide stretch charge of Father Nuno — whom George Napolitano Jr. tipped off cover on the final turn — by a length in 1:51.4. Stars Align A was a one-paced third from the pocket.

The win was Gumption’s seventh of the season and the 15th of his career.

GUMPTION REPLAY

Simon Allard led all drivers with four wins on the 12-race card; Marcus Miller won three races.

by James Witherite, for Harrah’s Philadelphia

American Harness Drivers Club Action

Two $9,900 harness racing divisions in the American Harness Drivers Club yearlong series went to post Sunday (Dec. 12) at Harrah’s Philadelphia with the first split going to Melissa Arbia and Tuesday Morning in a 1:58.2 clocking while Paul Minore copped the other division with If I Must in 1:59.

Sent off as the 3-2 favorite in her division, Ms. Arbia hustled her trotter to the lead from the four-hole and they zipped by Inukchuk Chuck (Mark Schullstrom) in a :29.1 first quarter. From there Tuesday Morning was the one to catch as the 5-year-old Explosive Matter mare showed the way by the half in :59. In complete control Ms Arbia put Tuesday Morning on cruise control and they began to open daylight on the field.

At the three quarters Tuesday Morning had a four-length lead as Inukchuk Chuck faded and McKenzie Sowers took up the chase with Awol Hanover. But Ms Arbia’s trotter was still strong on the lead. and opened up six lengths as she headed for paydirt.

In the deep stretch Tony Beltrami rallied with Dark Pool but they were only second best at the wire as Tuesday Morning cruised home a 4-1/4 length winner in 1:58.2. Awol Hanover finished third.

TUESDAY MORNING REPLAY

The race winner is owned by JB Racing and trained by Jennifer Bongiorno. She paid $5.00 to win.

In the other division Paul Minore kept If I Must off the pace as Tony Beltrami showed the way past the quarter in :29.1 with Shared Interest A. From there Beltrami’s trotter got first call all the way to the top of the lane.

As they headed for home If I Must rallied as did TW Lauxmont (Tony Verruso) and Shared Interest A and all three charged for the wire. But If I Must was not to be denied as he went on to victory. TW Lauxmont was second best as Shared Interest A faded and finished third.

IF I MUST REPLAY

If I Must is owned by his driver and trained by Taylor Gower. The longest shot in the 5-horse race If I Must paid $19.60 to win.

Racing returns to Harrah’s Philadelphia on Thursday (Dec. 16); post time is 12:25 p.m. EST.

For full race results, click here.

by John Manzi, for AHDC