CHESTER PA – The veteran Mr Apples pacing mare Apple Bottom Jeans has usually been an early-speed threat through much of her high-level career; recently she has been able to switch tactics with success, as she did when she won the $14,400 pacing feature for distaffs Wednesday afternoon at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Corey Callahan kept his mare in fourth to the half as Shezallapples A and favored Machnhope disputed the lead, then moved behind the cover of early 3-hole tucker Baron Remy. Apple Bottom Jeans swung three-wide nearing headstretch and proved the best late in 1:51.1, 1¼ lengths ahead of Machnhope, who photoed out Shezallapples A for second.
Tim Tetrick led the Philly driving contingent Wednesday with four winners.
The best of the Pennsylvania-sired three-year-olds will be at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday, contesting over $1.2 million on their Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Championship card. Each of the four finals is worth $252,000; there is also a $50,000 consolation for each of the four groups.
Perhaps the overall quality of the gathered sophomores is best reflected by the twelfth race Filly Pace Championship, where the undefeated Party Girl Hill will face the likes of Rocknificent, JK First Lady, and defending champion Lyons Sentinel. JK First Lady set a divisional track record of 1:49.2 in the last Sires prelim, but that time could be under serious pressure to stand up if the weather cooperates.