Lucky #13th win for Shoobee Doo A

CHESTER, PA – There was no question that Shoobee Doo A (Shoobee’s Place) was a speedy harness racing horse – he had had the lead at some point in eighteen consecutive races dating back to April, and while racing against the top-level claimers at Pocono this summer, he was a weekly frontend threat, with twelve victories and $116,890 on his 2024 card.

The question Sunday as he invaded Harrah’s Philadelphia for the $12,000 fast-class pace was whether he could carry that speed against tough veterans who showed nary a tag line in their past performances.

It didn’t matter. Shoobie Doo A, handicapped outside because of his earnings and carrying a $50,000 price, put on a speed show deluxe in leaving talented foes well behind in a 1:49.2 victory.

Driver Johnathan Ahle had the gelding, a career winner of $523,210, humming away once the gate sprung, and hit the quarter four lengths to the good in a sizzling :25.1. The horse opened his advantage to seven lengths in a :52.4 half and to eight lengths by the 1:20.1 three-quarters, with no one able to mount any kind of threat.

“Shoobee” won by 6¾ lengths over Lyons Steel, who might have been bottomed out in the pocket more than helped by a “two-hole” trip, with favored Jack’s Shadow N next in distant line.

SHOOBEE DOO A REPLAY

Two starts ago LAV Racing Stable Inc. and trainer Darren Taneyhill were the latest of several teams to have claimed Shoobee Doo A for $40,000 this year, but his price tag likely shot up after the ease of beating a classy field.

In a $12,000 trot for developing stock, the Cantab Hall sophomore filly Kelly’s Great sat behind the favorite Je Suis Cash S, who set quick-for-these fractions of :27.3, :56.3, and 1:24.2, disposed of that one easily in upper stretch, then with stood Southwind Creme by a length in a career best 1:54.2. Ridge Warren gave the patient drive to the winner, who is trained by Geovany Hernandez for Stormi And Bruiser Stable.

KELLY’S GREAT REPLAY

Warren (who’s quietly won eight of his last 33 drives) and Tony Morgan (second-leading active North American driver in career wins) tied at the top with three sulky successes on the card. Down Under phenom Carter Dalgety returned to his “favorite track” (19% win average here) for the first time in nearly a month and doubled; also with two wins was trainer Dean Eckley, #1 in the local conditioners victory standings while clicking at a 33% rate here.

Racing at Harrah’s Philly resumes on Thursday at 12:25. The highlight of next week’s racing will be Sunday’s $320,000 Championship card for the Pennsylvania Stallion Series in all eight divisions, for horses who earned enough points in their prelims to go for their big payday. 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