Sport Secret toughs out a strong Philly victory

CHESTER PA – On a Sunday afternoon when speed often did not hold up as well as it normally does at Harrah’s Philadelphia, Sport Secret (Sportswriter) overcame the grueling first-overland route to win the $14,000 fast-class handicap pace in 1:50.

Shoobee Doo A, off a win here two back and a close second at Pocono last week, was sent off as the harness racing favorite despite the outside post eight, and he rocketed to the front around Lyons Steel to claim the top spot in a demanding opener of :25.4. “Shoobee” reached the half in :54, just as Corey Callahan gave the victorious son of Sportswriter his outside marching orders.

Sport Secret put in the long tough grind, inching closer by the 1:21.4 three-quarters, closer yet on the far turn, and then gaining the advantage in the stretch. Da Delightful came flying off cover late to be second, a half length behind the winner and a half length ahead of third-place Lyons Steel, with just  3 ¼ lengths covering the field of eight at the finish.

Sport Secret, owned by Pollack Racing LLC, has now won three straight races for trainer Jeff Cullipher, and his lifetime earnings have risen to $371,178.

Callahan won the day’s driving honors with three visits to Victory Lane.

SPORT SECRET REPLAY

Harrah’s Philly will have a slight alteration in its racing schedule this coming week – the trotters and pacers will still face the gate on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, but while Thursday’s post time is 12:25 (with a $2232.92 carryover into the first race Pick 4) and Sunday’s card starts at 12:40, both times the norm, the Friday evening action will begin at 6:30 p.m. both this Friday and next (September 27).

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