Chester, PA — Southwind Banshee was ruthless in the $13,500 trotting feature on Thursday (July 25) at Harrah’s Philadelphia, in control at every fractional pole en route to a new mark of 1:53.3.
Tim Tetrick, who furthered his lead in the local drivers’ standings with five wins on the program, reached the lead with Southwind Banshee before the :28 quarter, then negotiated the front half in :57. The sophomore daughter of Muscle Hill reached the three quarters in 1:25.3 then widened out on to win by 7-1/4 lengths for trainer Åke Svanstedt and his Åke Svanstedt Inc.
There were a trio of $12,000 sub-features, with the one for fast-class performers won in an upset by another offspring of Muscle Hill, the gelding The Fast Lane, who took a new mark of 1:53. The Fast Lane didn’t appear to be in the fast lane much of the way as he gapped in the pocket behind favorite Kierkegaard K’s fast fractions of :27.2, :55.1 and 1:23.1. But the winner drew closer as Outside The Fire moved up, backed out behind that one as the challenger started to wear down the pacesetter, then swung wide to win by 1-1/4 lengths. Tony Morgan drove the winner for trainer Tim Crissman and owner Elanor Laws.
The other pair of $12,000 events were for developing horses, with trainer Nancy Takter in charge of both winners. The sophomore Chapter Seven colt Devastate set all the pace in the faster cut, then survived a late thrust by luckless Canadian invader Shermont to get the nod by a half length in 1:54.2 for Diamond Creek Racing and driver Dexter Dunn.
Takter then came back with the 3-year-old Walner filly Walla, who minded her manners and led her field at every pole to take a new mark of 1:54.3, ahead by 3-1/2 lengths over Tracks Of My Tears at the finish. David Miller drove Walla for Christinatakter&Anderberg, John Fielding, Oakwood Farms and Nancy Takter.
There is a quartet of $12,000 headliners set for Philly’s Friday (July 26) card, with many of the same classes coming back for distaff pacers: a fast-class contest and two divisions of a classification for up-and-coming younger horses. Those races will be joined by a claiming handicap pace for the priciest sellers on the grounds. Free Philly programs are or will be available at www.phha.org.