by Mike Bozich, for Harrah’s Philadelphia

Chester, PA — Last week was filled with stakes action at Harrah’s Philadelphia, with 2-year-old pacers and trotters competing in divisions of the John Simpson Memorial, with purses ranging from $30,000-$35,000.

Trainer Nifty Norman dominated Friday’s action with three wins out of the seven divisions, including $75 winner Maria Deo in the first division for 2-year-old filly trotters.

Norman went on to take the first two divisions of the filly pace on Friday, with impressive winner Reign On Me (1:53.1) and Sandy’s Beach, who won via disqualification. The winner Better Than Happy was taken down for interference at three-quarters.

Jake Huff trainee Azreal As It Gets (1:54.2) won the third pacing division.

Other winners in the freshman trotting class were Looking For Zelda (1:56.1), who went the fastest of the four divisions, Perfect Summer K (1:56.3) and Weekend Wit BigD (1:58.2), who paid $84.80 to win. Driver Vic Kirby also drove division one winner Maria Deo to her upset victory.

On Sunday, the colts and geldings took front and center stage, and so did drivers Tyler Buter and George Napolitano Jr., who each had five wins on the 14-race program.

There were three divisions in the pacing class. They went to Linda Toscano trainee Casual Cool (1:54.1), Roland Mallar student Yupper (1:53.1), and the John Butenschoen conditioned Parike Blue Chip, whose 1:51.4 clocking was the series’ fastest.

The trotting divisions were taken by Lynette Buter trainee I Know My Rights (1:57.4), Ake Svanstedt’s Six Pack (1:55.4) and John Butenschoen charge Scirocco Rob (1:57.3).

Also on the program, the 2015 Pepsi North America Cup winner Wakizashi Hanover took down a hard-earned victory in the winners over on Sunday in 1:50.1 for owners Tri-County Stable and Bruce Kennedy. The 5-year-old gelded son of Dragon Again was parked early, but settled into prime striking range behind the brushing Kid PK before using a passing lane move to win. He was driven by Vic Kirby.

It’s another big week of racing coming up at Harrah’s Philly starting Wednesday. As always, Harrah’s offers low takeouts on their Pick-4 (starts in race two) and Pick-5 (starts in race six) of 15 percent.

On Thursday, triple millionaire Market Share will be in action in race eight, an upper conditioned level trot. On Friday, the mares will be in action. Race eight is an upper-conditioned level pace, featuring winners from a week ago, Cousin Mary and Regil Elektra, in a stellar field of nine.

Harrah’s Philly races live every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday with a post time of 12:40 p.m. (EDT).