Chester, PA — P L Notsonice overcame a not-so-nice journey to win Thursday’s (Aug. 11) $22,500 fast-class trotting handicap feature at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

Favorite JL Cruze, who has banked $1.7 million in his career to date, stormed off the gate to get early command, and with Yanks Dugout keeping the hole plugged behind him, Corey Callahan was forced to tuck P L Notsonice third early while JL Cruze went to the quarter in :27.2 then got himself a breather to a :57 half.

Midway between that point and the 1:25 three-quarters, Callahan moved P L Notsonice into first-over position, and the Kadabra mare methodically went about her business, first grinding down JL Cruze and then holding off Yanks Dugout, who had backed out of the pocket to follow her, by 1-1/4 lengths; JL Cruze lasted for third.

P L Notsonice now has grown her lifetime bankroll to $288,155; Steve Brabrook trains the powerful trotter for owners Jaypaul Hoover and Elite Harness Racing LLC, who acquired the mare in January and now have seen her 2022 earnings exceed $78,000.

Star Razor snapped out of the two-hole from behind Epos Ostervang DK’s fractions of :27.4, :56.2 and 1:25 to win by four lengths and take a new mark of 1:53.3 in a $15,300 trot for developing horses. Callahan’s brother Shaun trains the Dejarmbro gelding, and their father, Nick, co-owns him with Yorwollahan Racing Team and Gregory Godbout. Star Razor has won two straight, seven of his last eight starts, and eight races on the campaign, good for $74,660.

In the $16,200 co-featured fast-class trot, the Bar Hopping gelding Robbie Pev continued his recent improvement with his third win in his last five starts, this one in 1:54.3. David Miller sat in the pocket with the winner behind pacesetter Swan In Motion’s fractions of :28.1, :57.1 and 1:25.4, then dove to the passing lane and out-footed the leader home by 1-3/4 lengths for trainer Jill Roland and owner Bernard O’Brien.

Friday (Aug. 12) will again be the day when Harrah’s Philadelphia will welcome the top fast-class pacers on the local scene, with Komodo Dragon, returning to the area after winning a series final in Kentucky in 1:50, installed as the morning line favorite in the featured $22,500 handicap pace. There is also a carryover of $1,868.43 into the third-race Super Hi-5, and a guaranteed $5,000 pool for the early Pick-4 (races 1-4). Program pages are available on the PHHA website.