by Mike Bozich, for Harrah’s Philadelphia

Chester, PA — Freshman filly pacers headlined a solid card at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 20) in three divisions of the Liberty Bell Series, each going for a purse of $35,000.

World Wide Racing Photos

Newborn Sassy won her fifth straight in the first division.

CC Racing and Jim King’s Newborn Sassy won her fifth straight in the first division. The daughter of Western Ideal-Sass Newton maintained pocket position through out much of the race, drafting behind the speed of Ron Burke trainee Yankee Moonshine (Yannick Gingras). Newborn Sassy (Tim Tetrick) vacated the pocket at the head of the lane, going on to win by a length in 1:53.1. Skinny Dipper (Andrew McCarthy) rallied on for second. The winner returned $2.40.

Geoffrey Lyons Mound’s Lyons River Pride (Gingras) was game in victory in division two. The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Mississippi River took the lead shortly after the start and held off the pocket-sitter Sail To The Beach (Daniel Dube) to win by a neck in a thrilling stretch drive. It was the second career win for Lyons River Pride ($4.20) who paced the mile in 1:53. She is trained by Ron Burke.

Division three saw favorite Shezarealdeal (Marcus Miller) using a well timed move in the stretch to win. The daughter of Western Ideal-Shezarealcaesar sat off the early speed duel, emerging three wide at the top of the stretch to sweep past, winning by a length in 1:52.3. The Erv Miller trainee is now three for seven in the win column lifetime. Princess Fabulosa (Scott Zeron) finished second. Shezarealdeal ($2.80) is owned by the Nick Surick and Kdm Stables.

There was also a non-winners of $20,000 in the last five starts on the pace slated for race 12, going for a purse of $22,000, which saw the ultra-talented Major Uptrend (Corey Callahan) win his third straight. The 4-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere, who was an in-hand 1:49.2 victor here two starts back, was a comfortable winner once again in a wrapped up 1:51. He is owned by Howard Taylor and trained by Doug Lewis.

Driver Yannick Gingras, who is fourth in the driver standings in wins and second in UDR, had five wins on the program.