CHESTER PA – In a stretch battle of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes winners earlier this season, the filly Nomo Volo was up in the final stride over the colt Ginger Tree Skyr to take the $16,000 trotting feature at Harrah’s Philadelphia Wednesday afternoon in 1:56.4.
Trainer/driver Jeff Gregory got away in the middle of the field with the winning Explosive Matter sophomore as favored Navarone Hanover made the early lead, then moved outside nearing the half and got cover from Ginger Tree Skyr. That colt grinded and worked past the favored pacesetting filly in the lane, but then was nipped by the filly on his back in a very close picture. Nomo Volo, who has had breaking issues since winning a Sire Stakes event on May 26, used her best behavior and ability to raise her bankroll to $141,467 for Jeff Gregory Inc. and Jesmeral Stable.
In a $14,500 event for fast-class pacers, the Dragon Again gelding Blake North quarter-moved to command, then came home in :55.3 to post a half-length victory in 1:51.3 for driver George Napolitano Jr., meet-leading trainer Gilbert Garcia-Owen, and owner Gilberto Garcia-Herrera. It was 51-1 shot Emeritus Maximus who shot out to early command, yielded to the odds-on winner, and made him work hard for the triumph; even with that longshot followed in order by 16-1 shot Hudsonandbernard and 12-1 Te Kawau N (second choice Jeneral Patton did get fifth), the winning 1-6-5-7-2 Jackpot Hi-5 ticket was played by multiple players, and so the jackpot carryover climbed to $42,387.03 for Thursday’s racing.
Tim Tetrick, newly named as a Hall Of Fame ballot candidate for this summer’s voting, built onto his lead as the winningest driver at Harrah’s Philadelphia, visiting Victory Lane six times on the Wednesday afternoon program.