by PHHA/Harrah’s Philadelphia
Chester, PA — Trotter Rubber Duck and pacing mare Darlinonthebeach, the two crowd choices, were the winners in the inaugural events of the $1.8 million Great Northeast Open Series on a special Derby Day Saturday afternoon (May 5) card at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
The Great Northeast Series will feature three $30,000 races a week between Harrah’s and Pocono Downs, with the Open pacers racing at one track and the other two classes at the other, then flipping the next week for a chance to compete in $100,000 Championships on Sept. 2.
Rubber Duck certainly didn’t have it easy in his open trotting event, but he proved a solid winner for driver Joe and trainer Jennifer Bongiorno in 1:52.3. The Muscle Mass ridgling got away midpack in a field of seven, then came up on a relentless grind. The winner, now a member of the half-million earnings club with a bankroll of $505,401, put away pacesetter Rock Of Cashel at headstretch, then kept the rallies of Opulent Yankee and Lord Cromwell at bay to the wire for owners Blair and Ema Corbeil.
Darlinonthebeach, who became a millionaireness in her seasonal debut last week, had a much easier journey than did Rubber Duck in taking the mares pacing event. Driver Victor Kirby had the Nifty Norman-trainee perfectly placed behind first-over Dudesalady, then swung three-wide on the far bend, accelerating through the lane to win easily in 1:51.1.
Joe Bongiorno completed a good Great Northeast debut by rallying 22-1 shot Diva’s Image through a stretch seam for the deuce, while Nike Franco N rallied for third.
Darlinonthebeach, a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Darlin’s Delight who has been near the top of her division for her previous three years of racing, competes for owner/breeder White Birch Farm.