Chester, PA — A quartet of $11,200 contests for younger horses — two races on each gait — comprised the ‪Friday afternoon‬ (Sept. 18) features at Harrah’s Philadelphia. The Western Ideal sophomore colt Buy In brought immediate returns for new connections with ‪a 1:51‬ victory in arguably the most impressive performance of the day.

Acquired by Triple D Stables Inc. and Tim Tetrick LLC after his last start and entrusted to trainer Scott DiDomenico, Buy In certainly did not have an easy route to victory. Tetrick kept him outside early before gradually advancing to clear the lead in a demanding :54.4 half. But after that point, the only battle was for minor honors, as Buy In powered off to win by 5-3/4 lengths.

In the other featured pace, the Somebeachsomewhere gelding Diamondbeach reclaimed the throttle for driver George Napolitano Jr. past the quarter, rebuffed a challenge from favorite Southwind Dredge, and then finished 1-1/4 lengths ahead of 43-1 pocket sitter Ginger Tree Pete at the end of a 1:54.1 mile. Jim Campbell trains the winner for Frederick and Shirley Schwartz and Onda Racing Stable LLC.

Both of the trotting headliners were timed in 1:57.3. In one, favorite Baldaquin looked like he had lost all chance from the pocket when Scirocco Patrick cleared from first-over and opened up 2½ lengths by three-quarters. But the new leader made a break into the final turn, and Baldaquin, came back nicely to claim victory by 2-1/4 lengths in line to Marcus Miller. The 4-year-old Explosive Matter gelding, trained by Louise Pepin for owner Steven Bryden, won for the third time in only seven lifetime starts.

In the other top trot, Willing Hanover earned his second consecutive win, as trainer-driver Tim Lancaster rallied him from far back for a half-length verdict over Test My Naughty B. Tim Lancaster also shares ownership of the sophomore Donato Hanover gelding with Mark and Meghan Lancaster.

George Napolitano Jr. took Friday driving honors with three victories.