Tetrick red hot in Philly with five winners

CHESTER, PA – Southwind Banshee (Muscle Hill) was ruthless in the $13,500 feature on “Trottin’ Thursday” at Harrah’s Philadelphia, in control at every fractional pole en route to taking a new harness racing mark of 1:53.3.

Tim Tetrick, who furthered his lead in the local drivers’ standings with five firsts, reached the lead with the sophomore filly before the :28 quarter, then negotiated the front half in :57. The fast distaff reached the three quarters in 1:25.3 then widened out on to win by 7¼ lengths for trainer Åke Svanstedt and his Åke Svanstedt Inc.

SOUTHWIND BANSHEE REPLAY

There were a trio of $12,000 subfeatures, with the one for fast-class performers won in an upset by another offspring of Muscle Hill, the gelding The Fast Lane, who took a new mark of 1:53. The Fast Lane didn’t appear to be in the fast lane much of the way as he gapped in the pocket behind favored Kierkegaard K’s fast fractions of :27.2, :55.1, and 1:23.1. But the winner drew closer as Outside The Fire moved up, backed out behind that one as the challenger started to wear down the pacesetter, then swung wide to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Tony Morgan drove the winner for trainer Tim Crissman and owner Elanor Laws.

THE FAST LANE REPLAY

The other pair of $12,000 events were for developing horses, with trainer Nancy Takter in charge of both winners. The Chapter Seven sophomore colt Devastate set all the pace in the faster cut, then survived a late thrust by luckless Canadian invader Shermont to get the nod by a half-length in 1:54.2 for Diamond Creek Racing and driver Dexter Dunn, wearing the stable colors.

DEVASTATE REPLAY

Takter then came back with the Walner three-year-old filly Walla, who minded her manners today and led her field at every pole to take a new mark of 1:54.3, ahead by 3½ lengths over Tracks Of My Tears at the finish. David Miller was in the sulky behind Walla for Christinatakter&Anderberg, John Fielding, Oakwood Farms, and Nancy Takter.

WALLA REPLAY

There is a quartet of $12,000 headliners set for Philly’s Friday card, with many of the same classes coming back for distaff pacers – a fast-class contest and two divisions of a classification for up-and-coming younger horses. Those races will be joined by a claiming handicap pace for the priciest sellers on the grounds. 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