Classclimbers impressive in Philly Friday features

Chester, PA – A trio of $11,200 features for horses on the way up the class ladder was the post-Thanksgiving headliners at Harrah’s Philadelphia Friday (Nov. 27) afternoon.

Two of the three top races were for trotters, and most eye-catching was the Father Patrick sophomore filly Context, who ran her record to two for three under the tutelage of Anette Lorentzon with a 1:54.4 victory while overcoming post eight. Main contender Heat Wave Hanover stole off to a good lead nearing the three-quarter pole, but Tim Tetrick got all the speed he needed for his charge, as she came the back half to take a new mark for owners Arden Homestead Stable and Jorgen Jahre Jr.

The other top trot winner also earned a new speed badge upon coming to town, as the Cantab Hall three-year-old gelding Hall It Off won in 1:56.3 without any late difficulty. Hall It Off broke in his first start for trainer Bill Mullin, also co-owner with Carver Racing LLC, but in this second outing all systems were “go,” with Marcus Miller handling the sulky duties.

In the top-purse pacing event, General Ward took his third straight win in commanding fashion, going to the lead just past the quarter for driver Tetrick, then stepping home in :56 to stay clear of closing Rockin Medicine in a 1:52.4 mile. The horse came to the local scene at the start in November for trainer Scott Di Domenico and the ownership of Triple D Stables Inc., Michael Farro, and M G Stable Inc., and he seems destined for better things in the near future.

The $10,000 top fast-class pace saw the Bettor’s Delight gelding Bellow Binge enjoy getting away from high-priced claimers, moving early to the lead around front stepper Vapour N, then holding that one off by a length in 1:51.1 under David Miller’s guidance. Bellows Binge was claimed for $25,000 on Sept. 25 by owner Chelsey Faurot and trainer Clay Faurot Jr., and since then they have seen the tough veteran earn $22,640 back towards his purchase price.

Tetrick won five races to lead the driving colony; Gilbert Garcia-Owen picked up a training triumph and now trails Ron Burke by only a 88-87 margin in a battle for winningest conditioner that should be back-and-forth in the remaining month of the meet.

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