Chester, PA — Pappy Go Go now has two of the three fastest trotting miles in North American harness racing during 2019, having demolished his rivals by 6-3/4 lengths in the $18,000 feature at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon (April 25).

George Napolitano Jr. held early position with Pappy Go Go from post four as the three inside him left, and then pulled his trotter out just before the :27.4 quarter. Golden Son moved from the pocket just in front of him, and Napolitano briefly had his trotter three-wide before circling to the lead entering the second turn before the :56 half.

Pappy Go Go had a full head of steam up the backstretch and reached the three-quarters in 1:24. He had no slowdown in him in the lane, equaling the time he posted at Pocono on March 30, just a fifth behind Insomniac’s 1:51.4 at Miami Valley on April 5. Andrew Harris trains the impressive winner, who now has 28 career wins and $155,517 in earnings, for Michael Goldberg Racing.

The first of two $14,500 sub-featured trotting events was taken by top Maryland campaigner Hybrid Henry, who made every pole a winning one in 1:54 for driver David Miller, 2-1/4 lengths clear of his opposition. Arlene Cameron conditions and owns the Cam’s Rocket gelding, who now has lifetime earnings of $240,211.

In the second, the Cantab Hall gelding Perseverance was sent away quickly from the pole by driver Corey Callahan to protect pocket position behind the speedy Zagster, then was able to move outside for the stretch drive and catch the pacesetter by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:55.1. The Eric Ell trainee, a winner of $198,832, recorded his second consecutive victory for owners Ken Wood, Tribbett Racing, Bill Dittmar Jr. and Steve Iaquinta.

Callahan and Miller had the hot hands on the Thursday card, winning four times each.

Harrah’s Philadelphia will conduct its first night card of 2019 on Friday (April 26), with first post at 6:30 p.m. The Jackpot Hi-5 carryover heading into race five is $11,972.22. Harrah’s Philly will also conduct Friday evening cards on May 17, Sept. 6, and Oct. 4. There will also be a special card of live racing on Kentucky Derby Saturday (May 4), with first post at 12:40 p.m.