Christopher Dance N makes up for bad luck on debut

CHESTER PA – Christopher Dance N (Sweet Lou), who had bad luck in his U.S. harness racing debut at The Meadowlands, opened his American win count with a 1:51.3 victory in the $14,000 feature for up-and-coming pacers on a muggy Sunday afternoon at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

CHRISTOPHER DANCE REPLAY

The son of Sweet Lou pressed on past a :28 quarter to reach the top in front of the stands and hit the half in :57.1, then picked up the speed to meet the challenge of first-over Odds On Wildfire (both were sent off at even money; the latter had a few more bucks on him to win). The two pacers battled through the 1:25 three-quarters and all the way to the wire, with Christopher Dance N speeding home in :26.3 to win by 1½ lengths.

Johnathan Ahle handled the sulky duties behind Christopher Dance N, who earned $123,681 in but eight 2024 Down Under starts, for trainer Jeff Cullipher, third in the Philly standings, and owners Pollack Racing LLC.

In the $13,000 fast-class handicap pace, the He’s Watching gelding Funtime Bayama returned to the limelight with a victory in 1:49.4 for driver Jack Pelling and trainer Andrew Harris, the latter co-owner with William Pollock (a Pollack-Pollock “sweep” in the Philly features) and Bruce Areman. Funtime Bayama headed right down the road while setting fractions of :26.3, :54.1, and 1:21.4, then drew off easily to bump his bankroll to $360,452.

Mark Herschberger, now fourth in the Philly driving win column, guided four horses back to Victory Lane for the day’s horsemen’s honors.

Racing will continue on a three-card-a-week schedule at Philly, with Thursday and Friday racing at 12:25 p.m. and Sunday’s action starting at 12:40. Free Philly program pages are or will be available at www.phha.org.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

From the PHHA/Harrah’s Philadelphia