Harrah’s Philadelphia hosted three $20,000 Open events on Friday (Aug. 11) that saw one harness racing longshot and two favorites make their way to the winner’s circle.
First up was the 5th race Fillies & Mares Open Handicap Pace where Gotthegreenlight (Andy McCarthy) led the field from the start with 11-1 Grace Rocks (Rockin Image) getting the two-hole trip for driver George Napolitano, Jr.
Gotthegreenlight took the field to the first quarter in :27, the to the half mile in :55.2. In the backstretch Milieu Hanover (Todd McCarthy) came first-over, giving live outside cover to Treacherous Dragon (Tim Tetrick) going to the three-quarters in 1:22.2.
Around the final turn Milieu Hanover moved into second place behind Gotthegreenlight, but it did not matter in the stretch as Grace Rocks shook loose for Napolitano and got up at the wire just in the nick of time to win by a neck in 1:50.3. Milieu Hanover was second with Gotthegreenlight third.
GRACE ROCKS REPLAY
It was the fourth win of the season for Grace Rocks, who is trained by Jamal Williams for owner Howard Taylor and paid $24.40 to win.
Next up was the 7th race Open Handicap Pace and the race belonged to the favorite, South Beach Star (Somebeachsomewhere) and driver Todd McCarthy.
They took the early lead away from Itsallaboutfaith N (Yannick Gingras) after a :26 opening quarter mile and then South Beach Star cut the mile to the half in :54.2, the three-quarters in 1:21.4, fought off a first-over rally by Caveman A (Simon Allard) and then held off Itsallaboutfaith N to win by a quarter of a length in 1:49.2. A Rocknroll Star (Corey Callahan) was third.
SOUTH BEACH STAR REPLAY
It was the ninth win of the season for South Beach Star, who is trained by Mark Silva for All Star Racing, Inc. and paid $3.40 to win.
The third Open was the 10th race handicap trot where Ambassador Hanover (George Napolitano, Jr.) were the first on the lead with Swan In Motion (Corey Callahan) sitting the pocket seat with the race favorite, Hillexotic (Muscle Hill) and driver Yannick Gingras getting away in third place.
They raced to the first quarter in :27.4, then the half mile in :57 before Gingras moved Hillexotic first-over to challenge in the backstretch. By the three-quarters in 1:25, Ambassador Hanover was still in command but on the final turn, Hillexotic cleared to the lead and then jogged home to win by two and one-half lengths in 1:52.3. Amigo Volo (Dexter Dunn) closed to be second with Keg Stand (Tim Tetrick) third.
HILLEXOTIC REPLAY
It was the seventh win on the year for Hillexotic, who is trained by Ron Burke and is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Phillip Collura, paying $2.40 to win.
For complete race results, click here. US Trotting Results
by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink