Chester, PA — “Trottin’ Thuirsday” (June 11) was as usual in full effect at Harrah’s Philadelphia, as both fast-class and developing horses had feature races during the first card of the local racing week.
In the $13,000 handicap event for older performers, the 10-year-old Joke Face gelding Ultion Face S came within a fifth of a second of his lifetime mark when he was victorious in 1:52.2 over Shoresy, giving trainer Per Engblom a one-two sweep in the top trot. Mark Herschberger got the winner to the front quickly, and then the 3-5 shot yielded to even-money second choice Shoresy just past the :27.2 quarter. Ultion Face S followed fractions of :56.2 and 1:24, as no outer tier flow made an impact, before Herschberger took the greybeard outside at the top of the lane and worked past his stablemate by a half length. Engblom Farm LLC and Jesper Bjorn Arvenberg own the career winner of $443,493.
The $11,500 fast-class sub-feature also saw the winner overcome his outermost starting spot: Howlingathemoon DK, trotting his mile in 1:52.3 to lower his lifetime mark by three seconds. Simon Allard took control early with the the Cantab Hall gelding, went :27.3 to the quarter then got a “cheap half” of :57; the breather allowed the Danish-bred to go the three-quarters in 1:24.3 and still have enough to defeat closing chalk Geronimo Trio IT by 1-3/4 lengths for trainer-owner Pat Lachance.
Best in a $12,000 trot for up-and-coming horses was the Greenshoe gelding Abraham Hanover, who also went the wire-to-wire route — :28.4, :59, 1:27 and 1:55.2, holding off first-over favorite Yardbird by 1-1/4 lengths while knocking a second off his lifetime best. Andy McCarthy drove for trainer Stacy Chiodo and owner Gunjan Patel.
Hall of Fame horseman Chris Ryder recorded his 20,00th training win in North America since the USTA began keeping training statistics 1991, with his son Patrick (now in the top 10 in the Philly driving standings) driving Chris’ own Piano Man, a Bettor’s Wish sophomore gelding, to a maiden win in 1:53.4 in the day’s opener. Chris Ryder, a native of New Zealand, is currently training two of the free-for-all pacing mares’ toughest individuals, 2024 Horse of the Year Twin B Joe Fresh and double Dan Patch winner Miki And Minnie.
Troy Beyer continues to be the hero of the local long shot players after bringing home Blue Cupertino at a mutuel of $91.40.
Simon Allard had a big day on Thursday, reaching the wire first five times, twice for trainer Mark Akins. Driver Corey Callahan had a double, as did trainer Joe Columbo.
The racing week at Harrah’s Philadelphia continues on Friday (June 12) at 12:25 p.m., with pacing distaffs making up the featured races; there will also be a $655.62 carryover into the Pick-5, which begins in race 5. Next week, 2-year-olds are on the condition sheet. Free Philly program pages are or will be available at www.phha.org.