Chester, PA — Like the first robin being a signal of oncoming spring, the first 2-year-old of 2023 at Harrah’s Philadelphia made an appearance on Tuesday morning (May 30), signaling the beginning of another class of freshman hopefuls racing and the imminent Pennsylvania first stakes for 2-year-olds.

At 9:54 a.m., Armenian Princess, a daughter of So Surreal–Bad Bad Diva who has millionaire world champion Gothic Dream not too far back in her pedigree, took to the track in a qualifying race for Krikorian Breeding-Racing, trainer Adrian Wisher, and driver Adrian Wisher Jr. The filly made an early break and finished fourth, but every start is a learning experience — for horse and man — at this point.

More 2-year-olds will be out shortly in order to be qualified for the Pennsylvania stakes season. The Pennsylvania Fair stakes schedule begins at the Butler Fairgrounds in the western part of the state on June 24; seven days afterwards, on July 1, the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes and Stallion Series action for 2-year-olds begins with the freshman trotting fillies going at The Meadows.