18-1 upset in Harrah’s Philly feature

With a gusty first-over move in the backstretch, 18-1 Malone (Explosive Matter) was able to come on in the stretch to win the $12,600 harness racing feature trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia in a three-horse photo finish Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

The 12^th race feature saw Captain Molly C (Chase Vandervort) make the most of starting from the rail to take early command of the race. With Donatello Hanover (Andy McCarthy) sitting in the two-hole, Captain Molly C led to the first quarter in :29.

No one made a move to challenge as they sped by the half mile marker in :59.2. Then as the field entered the backstretch, Malone and driver Simon Allard came first-over from fourth place as Captain Molly C still led past the three-quarters in 1:28.1.

At the top of the stretch, Captain Molly C was still on the lead as Malone was just a half a length behind and on the move with Donatello Hanover lurking for space to make a challenge.

Coming to the wire, Malone dug in just enough to hold off Donatello Hanover by a nose in 1:57.4 with Captain Molly C third by just a head in the three-horse photo finish.

MALONE REPLAY

It was the first win this year for Malone. The four-year-old gelding is trained by Robert Greenberg for owners Howard Kaufman and Joshua Kaufman of PA and paid $38.20 to win.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink