by Mike Bozich, for Harrah’s Philadelphia

Chester, PA — While all eyes were focused on the three big invitationals on Sunday afternoon (May 28) at Harrah’s Philadelphia, the undercard supplied fireworks of its own.

The races leading up to the ‘big 3’ showcased two winners over $25,000 events on the pace (one for horses and geldings, the other for mares), and numerous upper-conditioned level races. They did not disappoint. Four straight races were timed under 1:50, including a 1:48.3 performance by Rockeyed Optimist, and a 1:49.1 display by Mel Mara, who was making his seasonal debut.

After a stellar 1:50.3 qualifier at The Meadowlands, Robert Cooper Stables and J&T Silva Stables’ Mel Mara (Corey Callahan) made his seasonal debut in race five on Sunday. It was a winners over event for pacers with a purse of $25,000.

Starting from post six, the 8-year-old son of Lis Mara went right to the front, setting deliberate fractions of :26.1, :54.4, and 1:21.4. He had to hold off the pocket-sitter Major Uptrend in the final strides to secure the victory.

The Dylan Davis trainee opened many eyes last season, with a jaw-dropping 1:47 performance at The Meadowlands, which at the time, missed the all-time race-mile record by just a fifth of a second.

The very next race, Steve Elliott trainee Rockeyed Optimist (Andy Miller) paced the fastest mile of the afternoon (1:48.3) in an event for non-winners of $20,000 in their last five starts. The 6-year-old gelded son of Rocknroll Hanover also took fate into his own hands, going right to the lead, setting fractions of :26.2, :53.4, and 1:21.1. He faced a challenge from 2015 Pepsi North America Cup Winner Wakizashi Hanover (Tim Tetrick), but was up to the challenge, winning by 1-1/4 lengths. He is owned by the team of Anthony Perretti, Virginia Berkner, Joseph Battaglia, and A And B Stable.

Race nine was a fillies and mares winners over $25,000 lifetime event, which featured Blue Chip Matchmaker participants Mach It A Par (Jason Bartlett) and Lispatty (George Napolitano Jr.). The former was coming off an upset win against champion mare Pure Country.

But this day belonged to Tom Fanning trainee Frost Damage Blues (Tim Tetrick). The lightly-raced daughter of Western Ideal dueled hard with race favorite Lispatty, completing her grind to win by a head in 1:50.2. It was her second start of the season after winning five races in 14 starts as a 4-year-old. She is owned by Bill Augustine.

Harrah’s Philadelphia would like to thank all owners, trainers, and drivers that competed in all of the races on Sunday. The race office would also like to thank everyone that participated in the winner’s circle presentations as well.