Western Joe wires Philly foes

CHESTER, Pa. — Western Joe ($16.40) made every call a winning one in Sunday's (Dec. 20) $14,400 top-level pacing feature at Harrah's Philadelphia.

The 6-year-old Western Ideal gelding used a :26.1 first quarter to gain uncontested control of the terms from post six and, after harness racing driver Simon Allard rated a :29 second sectional, parried a stern first-over try from Bettor Memories (Yannick Gingras) to win in 1:50.3. Mac's Jackpot rode the pocket to finish second, 1-1/4 lengths behind, but was demoted to sixth after bearing out in the homestretch and causing interference to multiple horses.

 

Vettel N (Joe Bongiorno) was elevated to second after emerging out of traffic, and Rock The Town (Tim Tetrick) circled down the grandstand side to be elevated to third.

 

Even-money favorite Ana Afreet N was parked throughout from post eight and failed to fire off a second-over trip.

Chris Choate trains 29-time winner for breeder Anthony Ruggeri, who shares ownership with Richard Tosies.

Trainer Ron Burke recorded a hat trick on the 14-race card, teaming up with driver Yannick Gingras to win with Rockapelo ($4.80, 1:50.3), Dojea Gizmo ($3.00, 1:51.2) and Pyro ($2.20, 1:51.4).

Racing returns to Harrah's Philadelphia on Wednesday (Dec.  23), with a $14,111.42 carryover in the fifth-race Jackpot Hi-5. Post time is 12:25 p.m. EST.

 

 

by James Witherite, Harrah's Philadelphia racing media