Developing horses in Philly spotlight

CHESTER PA – A pair of $12,000 contests for horses looking to work their way up the harness racing ranks, one on each gait, were the headline races on a warm Friday afternoon at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

The feature for up-and-coming pacing distaffs saw the Courtly Choice mare Verity Blue Chip moved to the lead past the quarter by driver Bradley Chisholm, and she then maintained an unassailable lead through the last half with coming home in :55.3 to complete a 1:53 mile. Jeffrey Smith conditions the chalk winner for owner Strideline Racing.

VERITY BLUE CHIP REPLAY

In the trot headliner, the Walner colt Brulee yielded for the pocket, was itching to go most of the last three-eighths, and when the inside opened up in the lane the sophomore trotted right to command to reduce his mark to 1:55.4. Andy Miller drove the favored winner of two of his last three starts for trainer-wife Julie Miller and the ownership of Andy Miller Stable Inc., Patrick Hoopes, and Plouffe Racing.

In an $11,000 pace for distaff pacers, the Sweet Lou mare Absolute Power went to the lead early, kept an early-moving contender outside in a big (:55) middle half duel, and then drew off in the stretch for a fine victory in 1:50.4. Andy Miller handled the driving duties for Team Cancelliere, trainer Tom and owner-brother John.

ABSOLUTE POWER REPLAY

Besides his two feature wins, Andy Miller added a third sulky victory, tying him with Troy Beyer for the Philly honors for the day.

The racing week concludes on Sunday at 12:40 p.m.; featured will be a pair of $12,000 contests for developing horses, one on each gait. Philly races the following week on Thursday and Friday at 12:25 p.m. and Sunday at 12:40 p.m., and then on Wednesdays at 12:25 p.m. a live card will be added for five programs in July. 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