Stormtracker takes $17,000 feature

CHESTER PA – The Big Jim mare Stormtracker, second and third in Burning Point series legs at The Meadowlands and beaten only three lengths in the final, enjoyed the drop in company on Wednesday afternoon at Harrah's Philadelphia, lowering her mark to 1:51.3 while winning the $17,000 featured conditioned pace for distaffs.

Tim Tetrick, engaged in a hot battle with George Napoiltano Jr. for early meet supremacy among the drivers, made an early move to the lead with Stormtracker and continued in command from there, with identical halves of 55.4 leaving her a clear winner. Linda Toscano conditions the winner – and we do mean "winner," as she is now 8 for 15 lifetime – for Enviro Stable LTD, Camelot Stable Inc., The Bay's Stable LLC, and John Mehlenbacher.

In a pair of $16,000 conditioned co-features, the pace was won by the Bettor's Delight gelding Commentariat, driven by Andrew McCarthy to a new mark of 1:51.4 for trainer Noel Daley and the Caviart Farms, while the trot saw Moonshiner Hanover, a winner of over $400,000 at 2 and 3, make his 2018 debut a triumphant one, the son of Andover Hall finishing in 1:53.4 for driver David Miller and trainer Christopher Beaver, the latter co-owner with Synerco Ventures Inc. and Bill Manes.

The "Miller Gang" was again riding high at Philly on Wednesday, with nine wins among them – David four, Andy three, and Marcus two.

Harrah's Philadelphia will be hosting a special Kentucky Derby Day card on Saturday at 12:40 p.m., with the features the inaugural events in the $1.8M Great Northeast Open Series, with $30,000 contests for trotters (Opulent Yankee, Melady's Monet, Rock Of Cashel) and pacing mares (Darlinonthebeach, Nike Franco N, Lispatty).

Jerry Connors