from the PHHA /Harrah’s Philadelphia

Chester, PA — Favored Perseverance seemed to have everything going his way in the $18,000 trotting feature at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Thursday (May 3). Two of his six rivals made breaks before the quarter, and another rival, who had suffered early interference, made a crucial break after gaining the lead on the far turn. But waiting in the wings behind him was Fashion Creditor, who came strongly in the stretch to nip the chalk by a neck in 1:54.3.

Perseverance went quickly to the top from the outside seven, with second choice Sir John F jumping early and then Common Parlance making a break right at the :27.3 quarter, bothering Fraser Ridge. The leader got a cheap second split of :30, but down the backstretch Fraser Ridge, a winner of almost $400,000 making his seasonal bow, swept right past Perseverance as the three-quarter pole was reached in 1:25.

Nearing mid-turn, though, the script changed again as Fraser Ridge lost composure and went into the infield, giving the favorite another life. But Fashion Creditor and driver Marcus Miller, who had enjoyed the cushy trip in the golden chair, made their move at headstretch and had enough to take the measure of Perseverance nearing the wire.

Tom Fanning trains the Credit Winner gelding, now a winner of $425,622, for owner Joseph Smith.

Finishing Lines: Rock Of Cashel, winner of two straight at Harrah’s, and 1:48 mare Nike Franco N, in her 2018 debut, have been accorded morning line favoritism for the two $30,000 events on Saturday’s special Kentucky Derby Day card that will kick off the summer-long $1.8 million Great Northeast Open Series, to be raced at Harrah’s and Pocono. Tim Tetrick, who has taken the lead early in the meet’s dash victory battle, is scheduled to drive both favorites — Rock Of Cashel from post three in the trotting contest, and Nike Franco N from post five in the mares pace.