from the PHHA /Harrah’s Philadelphia

Chester, PA — Driver Eric Carlson had the hot hands at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Friday afternoon (Oct. 19), sweeping the featured paces for distaffs for trainers with whom he had combined for a victory earlier on the card.

In a $16,000 conditioned pace, Carlson and the Bettor’s Delight sophomore filly Dark Force worked out a two-hole trip, rallied up the inside to a mid-stretch lead, and then held off a late charge by 53-1 shot Thrillonthebeach to be a half-length good on the money in 1:54.2. Ross Croghan is the conditioner of the victorious 3-year-old for the Let It Ride Stables Inc.

In a $14,500 conditioned pace, the McArdle filly Lispatty ran her lifetime win ratio to 25 percent (24 for 96) and pushed her earnings to $625,265 with a 2-1/2 length win in 1:52.1. Carlson let the early speed sort itself out, then sent Lispatty to the lead under the wire the first time around; from there she had little trouble, marching home in :28 to be safely clear for trainer Gilbert Garcia-Herrera and owner Gilbert Garcia-Owen.