John Simpson Stakes begin at Harrah’s Philadelphia
September 27, 2018,from PHHA/Harrah’s Philadelphia
Chester, PA — The John Simpson Sr. Stakes, honoring the late Hall of Fame horseman and executive, got underway at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 27) with 2-year-old filly action, Over $190,000 in combined purses was at stake for three divisions of pacers and two of trotters.
In the first pace, the Well Said-Lady’s Portrait filly Renaissance Lady K was sent to the front by driver George Napolitano Jr. before the :27.3 quarter, and then the pair got to the half in :56.3. Favorite Philly Hanover launched uncovered from fourth at that point, and made some headway before the leader got to the three-quarters in 1:24.1. Philly Hanover then continued to reduce the margin through the stretch, but Renaissance Lady K held gamely to post a neck decision while lowering her mark to 1:52.1. Norm Parker trains the winner for veteran owner Robert Key.
In the other pacing division, Rockn Philly, who did not have a good outing upon returning to Harrah’s Philadelphia for a Liberty Bell contest last week, definitely brought her “A” game today while winning in 1:53.4. Victor Kirby sent the daughter of A Rocknroll Dance and Philadelphia to the lead after the :27.4 quarter, rested to the half in :57.2, and then powered home in :56.2–:27.4 while unthreatened. Rockn Philly boosted her earnings to $118.038 for trainer Jim King Jr. and the ownership of CC Racing LLC and Jo Ann Looney-King.
Turning to the trotters: Driver Mike Simons captured the first division, going out from the rail with Pilgrims Lass against two outside leavers, forcing one to tuck before letting favorite Navarone Hanover go past the :28.2 quarter, and then racing in the golden seat through middle splits of :58.3 and 1:27.4. As first-over Big Weezy worked to a short lead at head-stretch, Simons ducked to the inside, and gradually his Muscle Mass-Goodtimesstarthere filly erased Big Weezy’s narrow advantage and got to the wire a neck to the good in a personal best of 1:57.1. Pilgrims Lass has now won two straight for trainer Scott Andrews and owner Edward Andrews.
The Donato Hanover–Glide About miss American Kosmos, three-for-four lifetime and the 1-9 favorite, found herself having to take a two-hole trip behind determined 38-1 shot Sigilwig, who set fractions of :28.4, :58.3 and 1:27.3 in their cut. At the three-quarter pole, driver George Brennan eased American Kosmos to the outside, and she trotted nicely down the center of the track to win in 1:57.1, a length ahead of Meadowbranch Vicki. The gallant Sigilwig held for third. Julie Miller trains the quick filly, whose only loss came when she made a break, for owners Marvin Katz, Al Libfeld and Dr. David Goodrow.
Stella Jane, looped early and out well past a :28.2 quarter before getting the lead, went on with fractions of :58.4 and :1:27.3. She then had enough to withstand the horse that parked her early, Southwind Percy, by a neck in 1:57 after a stretch battle in the last division. George Napolitano Jr., who earned a stakes win on each gait, guided the daughter of Crazed and Naughty Nana for trainer John Butenschoen and owners Crawford Farms Racing.
With a carryover from yesterday in the Pick-4 pool, this afternoon’s Pick-4 bet drew a lot of attention, with its 50-cent minimum and 15% takeout. Horses paying $7.60, $13.00 and $2.20 in the first three legs didn’t really hint at a large payoff, but when $64.60 winner Inner Peace nosed out favorite He’s Gone in the bet’s final contest, it sparked a $7,441.90 return on a 50-cent ticket.
The Jackpot Hi-5 went without a winner, resulting in a carryover of $4,070.41 to Friday afternoon’s (Sept. 28) fifth race. Post time for the 14-race card is 12:25 p.m.