by Michael Bozich, for Harrah’s Philadelphia
Chester, PA — The $150,000 Maxie Lee Memorial Invitational at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday (May 27) is one of the main pitstops of talented older trotters and this year is certainly no exception as this year’s race is highlighted by 2016 Triple Crown winner and 2017 Dan Patch Award-winner Marion Marauder.
The 5-year-old son of Muscle Hill was impressive in his seasonal debut over the suburban Philadelphia oval, stopping the clock in 1:52.1 in a Great Northeast Series Event on Sunday (May 20). The Paula Wellwood-trainee has banked more than $2.5 million with 15 wins in 39 career starts.
Top contenders include twice millionaire and defending Maxie Lee Champion Crazy Wow, and Mac Nichol’s Will Take Charge.
Crazy Wow, a 6-year-old son of Crazed, is looking for his second win of the season after coming off of a disappointing fifth place finish last week in a Great Northeast Series Event. He did battle to a :54.1 half mile, before ceding ground in the final quarter. The Ron Burke-trainee has 21 wins in 62 career starts.
The Jeff Gillis-trained Will Take Charge has been solid in 10 starts this season, with a record of 5-3-1, purse money of $130,268 resulting in wins, and a near-miss second to reigning Horse of the Year, Hannelore Hanover, in the Cutler Memorial at The Meadowlands. He won last week in a Great Northeast Series despite breaking at the start.
Two-time Dan Patch Award winner Broadway Donna took care of business in her seasonal debut. The 5-year-old daughter of Donato Hanover came off of a pair of good qualifiers against Hannelore Hanover, winning her debut in 1:51.4 in a Preferred Handicap at The Meadowlands. The Jim Campbell-trainee is hoping to rebound after a one-win season as a 4-year-old.
Other contenders include Blair and Erna Corbeil’s Rubber Duck, star Indiana trotter I Know My Chip, Canadian invader Warrawee Roo and the Julie Miller charge Tuonoblu Rex.
Post Time on Sunday (May 27) at Harrah’s Philadelphia is 12:40 p.m. Eastern. Patrons are encouraged to bring the family for a fun-filled afternoon which will include clowns, face painters, balloon animals and much more. There will be food and beverage specials on the patio.
- Caviart Ally looks to step up in Betsy Ross (Friday, May 25, 2018)
Trainer Noel Daley does not seem too concerned about Caviart Ally making the jump to racing older horses, and feels his confidence will be proven as the year goes on. After winning her first two starts this year, she faces the first stakes-level race of her 4-year-old season Sunday in the $150,000 Betsy Ross Invitational for older female pacers at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
- Will Take Charge hopes to take charge in Maxie Lee (Friday, May 25, 2018)
Will Take Charge charges into Sunday’s $150,000 Maxie Lee Invitational at Harrah’s Philadelphia off a win in a leg of the Great Northeast Open Series for trotters; a victory that saw the 5-year-old gelding make a four-wide move around the final turn to complete a last-to-first rally after a few missteps at the start of the race.
- Top mares in Betsy Ross at Harrah’s Philadelphia (Friday, May 25, 2018)
The Betsy Ross Invitational for mares at Harrah’s Philadelphia is known for featuring some of the sport’s finest distaffers each year, and the 2018 edition coming up Sunday (May 27) will be no exception.