Chester, PA — Amigo Volo won for the first time since capturing the Matron at Dover nearly 11 months ago when he took the $13,000 fast-class trot Thursday afternoon (Oct. 7) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

MacMorris Hanover left well from the outside post eight and got the lead in a :27.2 opener, then backed off the half to :57.2. Amigo Volo and driver Victor Kirby were three lengths back in third at the midpoint, then advanced uncovered to be nose-to-nose with the leader at the 1:25.2 three-quarters. MaCmorris Hanover held with commendable tenacity, but Kirby and the 4-year-old Father Patrick gelding had the measure of the leader, edging by late to win by a half length in 1:53.2.

The winner of $1,580,664 is trained by Richard “Nifty” Norman for Pinske Stables and David J. Miller.

The top purse event on the afternoon was a $14,400 trot, and the CR Excalibur mare Big Sky Ex won in 1:55.3 for her third win in her last four starts. George Napolitano Jr., the big winner on the day with five driving wins, also used first-over tactics in winning, securing command with a :27.3 individual third quarter and then withstanding a late charge by Boom Boom Bay by a half length. Dennis Watson trains the developing distaff for owner Domenico Costagliola.

A pair of $14,400 events are featured on the Friday afternoon (Oct. 8) card at Harrah’s, with trotters facing off in race two and distaffs locking up in race six. Program pages for the 12:25 p.m. card are available at the PHHA website.