Massetto wins gritty Philly feature

CHESTER PA – Massetto (Walner), despite a tough two-move trip in subfreezing temperatures, proved the best in the $12,000 featured trot at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Friday afternoon.

MASSETO REPLAY

Driver Corey Callahan left well with the sophomore altered son of Walner, tucking in third, then pulled out midway down the backstretch and grinded the rest of the way without cover. Foxy Joyce, right on his back, was moving well late, but Massetto, successful now in two of his last three trips behind the gate, showed grit and won by half a length in 1:59.2 for trainer-owner Mike Watson, who along with Dylan George were the only conditioners to have a pair of victories.

The $11,000 co-feature fast-class handicap for pacing mares saw five horses across the track at the finish, with the widest one, the In The Arsenal three-year-old filly Neil’s Diamond, closing from last to defeat the competitive group in 1:54.4. Simon Allard followed the flow of cover with the winner of four of her last seven, and over a track not noted for successful closers had the most speed late to defeat favored Odds On Aces Full, right in front of her in the two-wide tier, by a half length in a race where the top quintet were separated by less than two lengths. Jeffery Smith conditions the sharp sophomore for                                             Joseph Jannuzzelli and Steven and Joseph Williams.

Tim Tetrick and George Napolitano Jr., 1-2 in driving wins here this year and between them the dash champion in 18 of Harrah’s 19 years (Cat Manzi won the inaugural title), each won three races on Thursday, and on Friday “George Nap” again had three, while ”Timmy T” got home first five times.

A nice mix of feature races awaits racegoers coming for Sunday’s 12:40 card, including a $16,000 fast-class trot, developing male pacers contesting $13,500, and $13,000 offered for fast-class pacers. 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