Chester, PA — A pair of $12,600 trotting events for horses looking to work their way up the class ladder headlined Thursday (Sept. 8) action at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

The Father Patrick mare Thesunrisesagain had shown signs of promise in recent starts, but few expected her to turn in a 1:55 victory that bettered her lifetime mark. Driver Corey Callahan gave her the “go” word from the start, and she rattled off splits of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:24.4 while opening an ever-increasing lead through the last half, finally crossing the wire eight lengths ahead of Mojave Hanover. Jonas Czernyson conditions the improving distaffer for Consus Racing Stable Inc.

In the other featured trot, Cocktail Promise set soft pace of :29, :59.2 and 1:29.4, but the Chapter Seven sophomore colt Distance Learning sat right behind before reeling in the pacesetter by a half length in a new mark of 1:58.3. The Philly meet’s winningest horsemen, driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Per Engblom, combined on the victory for JJ Racing Stable Inc.

Tetrick came back to take the $11,200 fast-class trot with Bank Box Treasure by the slimmest of margins over Epos Ostervang DK in 1:55.1 for his second straight triumph. The victorious Break The Bank K gelding got around “Epos” to the :27.3 quarter, went middle fractions of :57.2 and 1:25.2 while seeing the first-over contender off, then turned his attention inside to the potential pocket rocket, finding gameness to record the photo victory. Gilbert Garcia-Owen trains the winner for Gilbert Garcia-Herrera.

Tim Tetrick picked up four driving victories while Corey Callahan won three times. Troy Beyer and Tyler Miller recorded driving doubles.

This was the first day of the fall basic schedule at Harrah’s Philadelphia, which will feature racing on Thursdays and Fridays at 12:25 p.m. and Sundays at 12:40 p.m. Friday’s (Sept. 9) card will have a carryover of $3,320.33 in the third race Super Hi-5 wager. Program pages are available on the PHHA website.