Chester, PA – La Miki N was used hard in a determined bid to make the lead in a contested :26.3 opening quarter, did so, and then held sway the rest of the way to win the $14,000 featured distaff pace for developing younger horses Friday (Aug. 7) afternoon at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Perfidious Crown was away quickly from the rail, La Miki N (George Napolitano Jr.) was between horses, and favored Wise Professor was three-wide as they battled into the first turn. Track geometry dictated that Wise Professor prudently tuck in third, with La Miki N continuing up and wresting the lead from the stubborn Perfidious Crown.
La Miki N rated the half to :56.2, then got uncovered company from Threecurtaincalls to the 1:24.1 three quarters, with Perfidious Crown still in the two-hole and Wise Professor a locked-in third. La Miki N kept going with a :27.3 last quarter to win by a length over a late-clearing Wise Professor, with Threecurtaincalls and Perfidious Crown crossing the wire in a dead-heat for third, though the latter was placed fourth for a pylon violation.
The meet’s top trainer, Per Engblom, has gotten four wins with the Always B Miki mare since taking over her care seven starts ago, including her last two. She is owned by M T Stables Ontario Inc.
The $12,000 co-feature, also for pacing distaffs, saw the Philos Hanover four-year-old mare House Blend continue her love affair with the month of August: she is now two-for-two in her career during the eighth month of the year while winless in the other eleven after a 1:52.4 lifetime best. George Napolitano Jr. got the four-year-old away quickly, took a three-spot, then came blasting with her at the half and ripped off a 26.1 third quarter uncovered to open up an insurmountable lead. The Cancelliere Brothers (trainer Tom and owner John) saw their mare go the mile of herAug career on Friday.
“George Nap” led all Philly drivers Friday with four victories on the card; Troy Beyer and Art Stafford Jr. came home first twice.
Sunday (Aug. 9) at 12:40 will be the final racing card of the week at Philly, and it is headed by the third preliminary round of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes and Pennsylvania Stallion Series for two-year-old pacing fillies, with the Keystone-sired combatants going for a combined total of $207,254. Free Philly program pages are or will be available at www.phha.org.