from the PHHA /Harrah’s Philadelphia

Chester, PA — The fastest 2-year-old trotter and pacer over a five-eighths-mile track in 2018, based on reported records at the start of the day, both were on display during the morning session for 2-year-olds Tuesday (June 19_ at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

The fastest pacer to date is a filly, Sylph Hanover, a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere out of the Artiscape mare She’s A Fan, who secured the pocket early from post eight, then smoked home in :55.2 to win by 14-3/4 lengths in 1:54.3, knocking one-fifth off the previous seasonal standard held by colts Captain Mailcious and Union Station. Sylph Hanover was one of four successful teamings for trainer Ron Burke and driver Yannick Gingras; the latter added a fifth victory for another trainer.

On the trotting side, pedigree alone could have pointed you to Fashion Possessed, who went wire-to-wire on an open-length lead to win in 1:58.1. The Possess The Will colt is out of the Chocolatier mare Sweet Love, whose own dam is Amour Angus, a full sister to four champions, Conway Hall, Andover Hall, Angus Hall, and Emilie Cas El, the last-named the dam of Hambletonian winner Trixton. Fashion Possessed’s trainer Jim Campbell matched Ron Burke by sending out four successful winners, with David Miller handling two of them plus winning with two others.

Fastest trotting filly was the Explosive Matter–French Doll miss Spring In Paris, 17-3/4 lengths clear of the opposition in 2:00 for Gingras (that fifth win) and trainer Steve LeBlanc.

Among the pacing boys, 1:55.4 miles were turned in by Milano Hanover (Western Ideal–Monte Carlo Madam) for Gingras/Burke and Mangogh, another son of Western Ideal out of My Little Artist, with Andrew McCarthy in the sulky for conditioner Bruce Saunders.

With 2-year-old races on the betting card Wednesday at Harrah’s, the fair season opening the same day, and Sire Stakes pari-mutuel action for freshmen commencing on July 3, this is likely the last morning session here to be reported on, barring some sort of giant mile, but the early sessions have pointed to several horses who seem to have the ability to be stars in the near future.