Harrah’s Philadelphia holds qualifying races

CHESTER, PA – The harness racing trotters and pacers returned to southeastern Pennsylvania on Friday morning, as Harrah’s Philadelphia held ten qualifying races in preparation for its 2022 opener on Sunday, April 3.

The star of the show was Shake That House, a six-year-old son of American Ideal who has earned over $800,000; he won the Hempt and Progress Finals at three and last year was second in the William Haughton FFA Final. Trainer Chris Ryder had the horse ready at the opening bell, coming out of the two-hole for driver Dexter Dunn to win by 7¼ lengths in 1:52.2 for owners Crawford Farms Racing and Alan Johnston.

There will be another set of qualifying races at Philly on Tuesday morning, the day of the week that will be the regular qualifying day at Harrah’s; horses should be entered by 11 a.m. Monday. (Declaration day for Tuesday qualifiers will be Sunday once the meeting gets underway.) The day after these qualifiers, the draw for the first card of the season, Sunday, April 3, will be conducted, with entries to be sent in by 10 a.m.

After Opening Day, Harrah’s Philadelphia will operate on a Sunday (12:40), Thursday and Friday (12:25 both days) schedule throughout the month of April, with the exception of a dark day on Easter Sunday, April 17.