by Mike Bozich, for Harrah’s Philadelphia

Chester, PA — There were four divisions of the Liberty Bell series at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 24) for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers, each going for a purse of $35,000.

In the first division, it was Erv Miller charge McDave (Marcus Miller) with a gate-to-wire score. The son of McArdle-Southwind Piper set fractions of :27.1, :56.2 and 1:25.3 before sprinting away to win by a wrapped-up two lengths in 1:53. It was the fourth career win for McDave ($3.20), who is owned by Ron Michelon and Dave and John Prushnok.

Race two featured Pennsylvania Sire Stakes winner Ideal Jimmy (Marcus Miller) as the heavy 1-5 race favorite. An upset was in the cards, however, as Joe and Vince Barbera’s JJ Flynn (George Napolitano Jr.) used a pocket trip to pick up the win. The son of Western Ideal-Allamerican Cognac won by two lengths in the end, stopping the clock in 1:52.3. It was the first career win for JJ Flynn ($13.80) in eight career start. He is trained by Chris Ryder.

Division three saw Tony Alagna trainee Sam McSmith best the field. The son of McArdle-Bunting settled in behind the early speed of the outside leavers. He was able to successfully quarter-brush from that point, holding the lead until the finish, completing the mile in 1:54.1. It was the third win in four starts for Sam McSmith (Tony Morgan), who is owned by Andray Farms and David J. Miller. He paid $10.80.

In the fourth and final division, it was He’s Marvalous (Marcus Miller) springing the upset ($29.20). The son of Delmarvalous-Selinas’s Joy settled into the pocket behind the speed of favorite Pretty Boy Hill (George Brennan). He vacated the pocket at the top of the stretch, going on to a two length win in 1:52. He is owned by Badlands Racing and L.A. Express Stable and is trained by Erv Miller. It was one of four wins on the day for Marcus Miller.