Chester, PA — Many 3-year-olds gave strong indication that they are ready to commence a good sophomore campaign while winning in Tuesday morning (April 15) qualifiers at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Driver Andrew McCarthy, trainer Juan Cano, and owners Hot Lead Farm led off with a sweep of the “Daily Double.” They won with the 2024 Breeders Crown finalist and Pennsylvania Stallion Series champion Gigglingonthebeach, a pacing daughter of Papi Rob Hanover who came out of the pocket and stormed home in :55.1 to stop the timer in 1:54.3, and with the trotter Conversano, a daughter of Muscle Hill out of the $500,000-plus winner Celebrity Ruth, also a pocket rocket in a 1:55.1 triumph.
Andrew McCarthy would wind up with four qualifying victories on the day.
Fashion Green, the Greenshoe trotting gelding out of $300,000-plus winner Fashion Athena, was perfect in four starts as a freshman, and he resumed his winning ways in his first trip behind the gate in 2025, winning in 1:54.2 (:27.3) as he also rallied from the two-hole. Tim Tetrick had the sulky seat behind the promising sophomore for trainer Jim Campbell and owner Fashion Farms.
Fastest winner of the day was the Captaintreacherous colt Captain Fear, who never looked back while romping by 13-3/4 lengths in 1:53.1, the quickest time he’s crossed the wire first. Andy Miller handled the sulky chores for trainer Tom Fanning and owners Howard Taylor and Falcon Racing.
Twisted Destiny beat I’m The One by three parts of a length in the PA Stallion Series Championship for 2-year-old pacing males last year; they both won their return qualifiers last week, and today they again went head-to-head. And Twisted Destiny won again, but he had to work hard, coming from last and pacing his last half in :53.4 to defeat I’m The One by a neck in 1:54.1. Patrick Ryder drove the impressive Bettor’s Wish colt out of $1.8 million-winning Tug River Princess for trainer/father Chris and the ownership of Let It Ride Stables Inc., Alberg Racing, and Enviro Stables LTD.