Chester, PA — The 3-year-old Sweet Lou gelding Solid Character overcame the outermost post and two stubborn stretch rivals to take Wednesday’s (July 31) $13,500 featured pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia in a lifetime best 1:50.2.
Despite the tough draw, Solid Character had a solid lead before the :26.2 first quarter for driver Simon Allard, then put up middle splits of :55.2 and 1:22. Captain Caveman, in his first start since May 18, stayed close in the pocket then moved out in the stretch, while Goliath Hanover gapped third-in during the fast third panel before charging steadily up the inside. But both missed Solid Character by three-quarters of a length, with Captain Caveman photoing out Goliath Hanover for second.
Ron Burke trains the winner for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Robert Jackson, Timothy Sullivan, and Tom Wilson.
Ifthasritthatsrong won for the second time in as many local starts with a 1:51.3 victory in the $12,000 co-featured pace. Impressive in a 1:49.4 win on his local debut, the winning Stag Party gelding circled first turn trouble to get the lead, then remained in control, sprinting home in :54.3 to stop the timer in 1:51.3. Allard was again the winning driver for trainer Robert Belcher and owner Todd Rosenberg.
Allard and Marcus Miller each notched three wins on the card.
Thursday (Aug. 1) has Philly’s usual trot-heavy card, highlighting top local horses on the diamond gait, with double millionaire Crystal Fashion the favorite in the $13,000 feature as he seeks his fourth straight win. … Harrah’s Philadelphia now returns to a basic schedule of racing on Thursdays and Fridays at 12:25 p.m. and Sundays at 12:40 p.m. … Free Philly programs are or will be available at www.phha.org.