Chester, PA — What started as a rainy and dark day at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 11) became only worse, to the point that the last four races on the scheduled 14-race program were canceled. The fast-class pacing horses got their events rained out, but two paces for developing males splashed around the track before the abandonment of the rest of the races.
The Captaintreacherous 3-year-old colt Captain Brunson appeared to have no objection to the foul conditions, taking the $13,500 feature in 1:53.4. The winner tucked third amidst an early dogfight, then came back out on the second turn and brushed to command just past the half. From there Captain Brunson could not be caught in a :56 back half, with In The Moonlight fighting doggedly on but coming up a half-length shy. Andrew Harris conditions the winner for Punisher 11 Stable LLC.
Lou’s Rodeo, an altered sophomore son of Sweet Lou, paced his own last half in :56.4, circling off cover to take the $12,000 co-feature in 1:54.4, just a tick off his mark despite the adverse conditions. The gritty two-mover B Sirius did well but had to settle for the deuce, half a length behind the winner. Patrick Ryder had the catch-drive for trainer Travis Kolaczynski and owner Jeff Dauplaise.
Despite only 10 races, drivers Mark Herschberger and George Napolitano Jr. both reported home first three times. Herschberger guided both success stories of the only doubling trainer, Deborah Daguet.
The forecast is for much better conditions when Philly conducts its next live card Thursday (Oct. 15) at 12:25 p.m., with the usual strong array of “Trottin’ Thursday” high-class horses entered to go. Free Philly programs are or will be available at www.phha.org.