Champagne Hanover pops at Philly

CHESTER, PA – The Bar Hopping sophomore gelding Champagne Hanover has now won two straight after holding on to turn away Archery Seelster in the $14,400 featured harness racing trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon.

Jack Pelling made two early moves with the three-year-old to control the throttle, then met a stern challenge from Yonkers invader Archery Seelster from midbackstretch onwards. The uncovered rival raced courageously but Champagne Hanover himself proved game and won by a half-length in 1:55.2, missing his lifetime mark by a tick. Annie Stoebe, trainer of Doherty winner Instagram Model, and that filly’s owner R. Lynn Curry combined on this promising youngster with co-owner Philomena Curry.

CHAMPAGNE HANOVER REPLAY

The veteran Lindy The Great (Crazed) moved his lifetime earnings up to $1,485,327 with a 1:53.3 victory in the $13,000 fast-class featured trot. Andy Miller tucked Lindy The Great in fourth on the first turn, then moved him out raw down the back. He picked up the cover of pocketsitter Robbie Pev nearing the three-quarters, then had enough to go by that good rival by three-quarters of a length for trainer Julie Miller and owners Andy Miller Stable Inc., John Schmucker, John Mehlenbacher, and VIP Internet Stable.

This contest was part of a sequence of four races where five different Millers were victorious: in order of occurrence, Marcus, Andy, David, and Tyler Miller steered a horse back to Victory Lane, with Andy’s winner in the chain, Lindy The Great, as mentioned trained by wife Julie. Andy Miller also led all drivers at Philly on Thursday with three victories.

LINDY THE GREAT REPLAY

Friday’s $15,300 featured pace is headed by Trendy Teen, who has four wins and three seconds (all by a half-length or less) in his last seven starts, and who will start as the 8-5 morning line favorite from post five in the field of eight. Program pages for all Philly cards are or will be available by clicking here.

For complete race results, click here.

From the PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia