from the PHHA /Harrah’s Philadelphia

Chester, PA — Two natives of New Zealand, born just over 300 miles apart but who have spent most of the last decade 6,000 miles apart, combined for a visit to the Harrah’s Philadelphia winner’s circle Friday (Sept. 14), as the Roll With Joe sophomore filly Believe In Me, trained by Brett Pelling and driven by Dexter Dunn, won the $16,000 featured distaff pace in a career best 1:51.2.

Dunn spotted third early with Believe In Me, but past the :27.1 quarter he was out and rolling with his filly, making the lead well before the :55 half. Race favorite Special Kay Deo, who defeated Believe In Me two weeks ago, came first-over down the back, but her bid stalled before the 1:22.4 three-quarters, and Dunn kept the winner rolling through the lane to win by 2-3/4 lengths. She is owned by the Bay Pond Racing Stable of Paoli Pa., only 20 miles away from Harrah’s.

In the $14,500 co-feature for pacing distaffs, Diamondtoothgertie posted her third win in four starts since going to the care of trainer Richard Johnson, taking a new mark of 1:51.3. Tony Morgan, who went over $130 million in career earnings earlier on the card, guided the victorious daughter of Sportswriter for D’Elegance Stable IX, Joseph Gandolfo, NR Holdings, and Anthony Fiscetti.

Driver George Napolitano Jr. had five winners, for five different trainers.