Chester, PA — Mr Bluebird hadn’t raced in 21 days before taking the track as the favorite in the $14,000 feature race for developing trotters on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 25) at Harrah’s Philadelphia, but as it has been in the past, the horses of trainer Åke Svanstedt are usually ready whenever they go the post, and Mr Bluebird went on to his fourth straight victory, this time in 1:54.3 over a good surface.
Johnathan Ahle sent the son of Six Pack to early command, yielded before the :27.3 opener, but was soon back on the move to the top and got a :57.2 breather to the midpoint. Second choice Super Duper Cooper came uncovered up the backstretch, reached the leader by the 1:25.4 three-quarters and tried hard through the stretch, but Mr Bluebird had enough in reserve to win by 1-1/2 lengths for Åke Svanstedt Inc., Little E LLC and Torbjorn Swahn Inc.
The co-feature trot for upcoming horses, worth $13,500, went to the Bar Hopping gelding Honolulu Hanover, a 1:54.3 winner just after the track rating had been upgraded to fast. Honolulu Hanover, the close second choice, sat behind favored Goodgirl Bi IT much of the mile, then came outside and overpowered that rival in tallying for driver George Napolitano Jr., trainer Ron Burke, and the partnership of Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, William Switala and James Marin.
The two fast-class trot races took place over a fast track. The most accomplished of these diamond-gaiters met for $13,000 in a handicap event, with Southwind Tyrion odds-on despite the outermost post seven.
Southwind Tyrion went past Asteroid, a former barnmate of his in the Svanstedt shedrow, on the first turn and put up fractions of :27, :56.3 and 1:23.2. But Asteroid stayed close enough to be able to mount an inside stretch charge, and Asteroid collared the chalk by being ready after only a qualifier since his last start on July 7, getting up by half a length in a notable 1:52.1 on a day not conducive to speedy miles. Corey Callahan rallied the Creatine gelding to the victory for trainer Jeff Cullipher and Pollack Racing LLC.
The $11,000 sub-feature for the fast-class diagonally-gaited set also fell to Team Cullipher/Pollack, as the Bar Hopping gelding Usain Hanover went even faster than Creatine did in the feature, crossing the wire tons the best in 1:52. Jack Pelling pointed him to the front early then let his powerful charge take care of the rest, leaving a good field far behind.
Svanstedt and driver Ahle did team for another victory on the card, with the striking piebald (dark body with white patches) freshman colt Nebbiolo, by Captain Corey-Via Lattea IT, who won his second straight in 2:00.2 over a good surface for Knutsson Trotting Inc.
Many-time Philly driving champion Napolitano drove five winners on the afternoon, including two for trainer Burke. Of the other sulky doublers, Ahle got both of his pair for Svanstedt, as noted; Troy Beyer got both of his two for trainer Jim Campbell; and Callahan got one of his two for Cullipher, who wound up as noted as a doubler in the fast-class trots.
Racing at Harrah’s Philadelphia continues with a Friday (Sept. 26) 12:25 p.m. card and a Sunday (Sept. 28) 12:40 p.m. program; the track will then go dark for live racing until Oct. 10 as the racing surface undergoes refurbishment, but simulcasting will still be available. Free Philly program pages are or will be available at phha.org.