Harrah’s hosts $217,620 Simpson Stakes

CHESTER, PA – The John Simpson Sr. Memorial stakes series concluded its 2021 run at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon, with $217,620 on the line for two-year-old fillies in the Davidia Hanover (trotters) and Razzle Hanover (pacers), each divided into three sections.

One Davidia Hanover section went to the Trixton – UF Lindsay Lou Who miss Primadonna Deo, who came roaring out of the pocket to quickly pass pacesetting favorite Born On Third Base as they turned for home, crossing the wire a handy 3½ lengths ahead of Pauline Hanover.

Andrew McCarthy finally got the filly off the goose egg after five seconds and four thirds in her previous ten starts with the 1:55 triumph for trainer Noel Daley, co-owner with Deo Volente Farms LLC and Geoff Dubrowsky.

PRIMADONNA DEO REPLAY

The Devious Man – Ophelia filly Gertrude raised her lifetime record to 6-for-10 and lowered her mark to 1:55.1 in capturing another division of the Davidia Hanover. Andy Miller moved the favorite to the lead in front of the stands ahead of Danznqueen Hanover and set the pace, then had enough to hold off that one (who didn’t help herself by bearing out a bit) by a neck for trainer Julie Miller and Andy Miller Stable Inc.

GERTRUDE REPLAY

In the third Davidia Hanover trot, Design Fashion and Todd McCarthy went by his brother Andrew, guiding Pretty Interesting, to the quarter and was never headed thereafter, stepping home in :57.2 – :28.1 to reduce her mark to 1:56. Jim Campbell had the daughter of Donato Hanover – Designable ready after a 34-day layoff in winning by 2¼ lengths for Fashion Farms LLC.

DESIGN FASHION REPLAY

Brian Sears made a cameo sulky appearance and earned $808.50 for his afternoon’s work, which lasted 1:52.1 thanks to the American Ideal – Heels On The Beach filly A Girl That Twirls in a Razzle Hanover division. The winner strolled to the half in :57.3, then threw :54.3 – :26.4 fire at her opposition to leave favored Joyride Hanover three lengths behind while lowering her mark over three seconds for D Racing Stable Inc. and trainer Deborah Daguet.

A GIRL THAT TWIRLS REPLAY

Smuggle Tina rallied from behind the cover of Find Happiness and wore down that game rival late to win in 1:53 by a half-length in another Razzle Hanover section. The daughter of Captaintreacherous – Territorial, driven by Dexter Dunn, has found her best strides in her last three starts for trainer Per Engblom and Winning Key, Inc.

SMUGGLE TINA REPLAY

In the third section of the Razzle Hanover, Scott Zeron got the Sweet Lou – Beach Body filly Somesweetsomewhere to the top, then loafed to the half in :58.2. The price of pacing went up dramatically in the second half, and Zeron had to get back fractions of :55.1 – :27 out of Somesweetsomewhere to hold off the late charge of Shipnstrol Hanover by a nose, with the 1:53.3 total time a tick faster than her previous best. Linda Toscano conditions the winner for Purple Haze Stables LLC and Conrad Zurich.

SOMESWEETSOMEWHERE REPLAY

Racing continues at Philly on Friday, with developing trotters tangling in a $14,400 featured event. Program pages for the 12:25 card are available at www.phha.org/harrahspps.html. Simulcasting of the Breeders Crown Championships will also be available through Philly and its betting network on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

For full race results, click here.

From the PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia