Mel Mara is now a millionaire
August 19, 2018,by James Witherite, for Harrah’s Philadelphia
Chester, PA — After a slow start to his 9-year-old campaign, world champion Mel Mara ($3.60) found victory in his ninth start of the year and became harness racing’s newest millionaire on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 19) at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
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World Wide Racing photo
Mel Mara (VictorKirby up) became a millionaire with his win on Sunday at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
The son of Lis Mara left from post five in a $12,500 third-level conditioned pace and worked clear of Cyamach (Pat Berry) at the end of a :27.2 first quarter before using three straight :28 sectionals to outpace the field.
Mel Mara and driver Victor Kirby started to gain separation on their seven rivals with three-eighths to go, amassing a five-length lead off the far turn before ultimately defeating the late-rallying Franky’s Beach Boy (George Napolitano Jr.) by 4-1/4 lengths in 1:51.2. Archangel Three (Tony Morgan), who provided cover to the runner-up, finished third.
Dylan Davis trains Mel Mara, runner-up in last year’s Ben Franklin and Sam McKee Memorial events, for the partnership of the Robert Cooper Stables, J&T Silva Stables and Howard Taylor.
The day’s $17,000 featured pacing event saw Commentariat ($22.00) skim the pegs to spring a 10-1 upset in rein to Sean Bier. The 4-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding remained perched in the pocket behind favored pacesetter Spondulicks N (Art Stafford Jr.) before working up the open stretch to win by half a length in 1:53. Spondulicks N held second over Rough Odds (Dexter Dunn), who lifted down the grandstand side to miss the runner-up spot by a further neck.
Noel Daley trains eight-time winner Commentariat, a Caviart Farms homebred.
Favorites finished one-two in the day’s fifth race, resulting in multiple winners in the 20-cent Jackpot Hi-5. As such, a mounting carryover of $3,852.96 heads to the Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 22) program. First post is 12:25 p.m.