Four-horse photo finish in Philly co-feature

In the 7^th race $20,000 Open Handicap Pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia Friday (Nov. 10), it was Ruthless Hanover (Somebeachsomewhere) and harness racing driver Tim Tetrick, who worked out perfect cover and with a little luck, won a four-horse photo finish.

Racing over a track labeled sloppy, South Beach Star (David Miller) was the pacesetter with Ruthless Hanover getting the two-hole trip. After the first quarter in :26.3, Dragononthebeach (Todd McCarthy) came charging up first-over and pressed South Beach Star to the half mile in :56. Race favorite Ruthless Hanover was enjoying the live cover as the other two battled for the lead.

That battle continued neck and neck through the three-quarters in 1:23.2. At the top of the stretch, it became anyone’s race as four horses fought it out to the wire with Ruthless Hanover and Tetrick getting just enough room to stick their nose in front at the wire in 1:52.1.

Jilliby Dynamite A (Dexter Dunn) closed from fifth place to be second by a nose with Brue Hanover (Simon Allard) third by a nose and South Beach Star fourth by a neck.

RUTHLESS HANOVER REPLAY

It was the second straight win and sixth triumph of the year for Ruthless Hanover. The six-year-old gelding is trained by Tom Cancelliere for brother John Cancelliere and paid $4.20 to win.

Pappardelle (Wishing Stone) continued to add to his breakout harness racing season, scoring a five and three-quarter length romp in winning the 5th race $20,000 Open Trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

Pappardelle and driver Dexter Dunn left from post five and battled their way to the lead over a stubborn Aldebaran Zeus A (Andy McCarthy) after the first quarter in :27.1.

On to the half mile and Pappardelle was in control in :56.3 with Justice (Ake Svanstedt) starting up first-over from fifth place. Down the backstretch, Justice gained some on Pappardelle with Dreamonhigh (David Miller) grabbing second-over cover. They went by the three-quarters in 1:24.1.

Dunn then let Pappardelle have his head and by the top of the stretch the trotter was up by two and one-half lengths on the field and then stretched it out even more down the stretch with a five and three-quarter length score in 1:53.2. Justice was second with Dreamonhigh third.

PAPPARDELLE REPLAY

It was the second straight win and seventh victory of the year for Pappardelle, who is trained by Jenn Bongiorno for The Delaware Group, Joe Sbrocco, JB Racing and JAF Racing. He paid $2.80 to win.

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

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink