Pappardelle is sharp in return to racing

CHESTER, PA – Over “good” going at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Thursday (Aug. 8) afternoon, the Wishing Stone gelding Pappardelle showed no ill effects from a layoff of just over four months, making every pole a winning one while taking the $15,000 fast-class harness racing trot in 1:53.4.

A couple of outside horses were fleeter than the winner as the gate sprung, but driver/trainer Joe Bongiorno coaxed enough speed out of Pappardelle to make the other leavers take seats behind him as the winner of $359,845 laid down fractions of :28, :57, and 1:25.1. Sinatra De Vie, favored at even money to Pappardelle’s 7-5, had dull cover and had to go wide nearing the far turn; he closed strongly, but the winner had too much of a jump and “Sinatra” settled for second, 1¾ lengths behind the winner, who is owned by JB Racing, Joe Sbrocco, The Delaware Group, and JAF Racing LLC.

PAPPARDELLE REPLAY

Mister Lucky Sox S (Mister J P) overcame the difficult ”tuck-then-first-over” trip in the $12,000 co-feature handicap trot, as the 17-1 gelding withstood a late move by odds-on favorite Rivers by a neck to win in 1:54.4. Off stride in his last three races, Mister Lucky Socks S had his lucky socks or lucky shoes on in Thursday’s muck as he won for driver Rikard Skoglund and owners Engblom Stable LLC, Nicklas Oestergaard-Andersen, and Thomas Svensen; the victory put trainer Per Engblom tied with Mark Akins atop the Philly trainer’s derby.

MISTER LUCKY SOX S REPLAY

George Napolitano Jr. paraded back four winners during the Thursday card.

Pacing distaffs takes the spotlight Friday at Philly in a $15,000 featured event, with Odds On Hail Mary getting a thin favorite’s call as she begins from post four in the eight-horse event. The racing week will then conclude with a Sunday card beginning at 12:40. Free Philly programs are or will be available at www.phha.org.

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

From the PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia