By: Jerry Connors, Jr.
CHESTER PA – Pretty soon the new crop of two-year-olds will become the focus of the preparatory session throughout North America, but Tuesday morning’s qualifiers at Harrah’s Philadelphia showcased returning horses getting ready to make their mark in 2026.
The American Ideal sophomore pacing filly Liberty Bell Style, winner of the New York Sire Stakes final as a baby, looked strong in a 1:53 qualifying victory for driver-trainer Andrew Stafford, co-owner with Bonnie Benson. Liberty Style moved down the back to command and came home in :55-:27.1 in winning by over ten lengths.
The amount of improvement in potential a horse can show from two to three was exemplified by the Bettor’s Wish pacing colt Bettor Behold, on the engine despite post eight and home in :55.1-:27.2 to post a 1:54.1 win, also winning by ten+ lengths. If this one can put occasional behavior problems behind him, he could be a nice one for driver-trainer Cote Keim, co-owner with Michelle Rickey.
On the trot, the dual-eligible Pennsylvania-Maryland Captain Corey three-year-old filly Show Pony now has two winning qualifiers on her card, trotting her back numbers in :58.3-:28.4 for a 1:59.3 success for driver Corey Callahan and trainer-owner Richard Hans.
Callahan was also behind the Sweet Lou ridgling Go Go Grasshopper, a PA Sire Stakes winner at two and three and 2-4 in his Championship races, who turned in a sparkling 1:52 victory for the red-hot Joe Bongiorno barn. Go Go Grasshopper must have been thinking of his dam, Faster Faster (good name for a musical group in this city, the Eagles), as he streaked home in :54.3-:27.
Callahan’s double was matched by the team of driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Enrico Robinson, who combined for the fastest trotting victory, a 1:55.3 win with the Resolve gelding Resolve To Win, who has earned $407,296.
The Philly backstretch will also be abuzz Wednesday morning, when the draw for the annual Super Sunday card, featuring three $100,000 Invitationals and Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action for sophomore pacing colts, will be put together.
Free Philly program pages for the pari-mutuel races, plus replays of the qualifiers, are or will be available at www.phha.org.
CHESTER PA – Pretty soon the new crop of two-year-olds will become the focus of the preparatory session throughout North America, but Tuesday morning’s qualifiers at Harrah’s Philadelphia showcased returning horses getting ready to make their mark in 2026.
The American Ideal sophomore pacing filly Liberty Bell Style, winner of the New York Sire Stakes final as a baby, looked strong in a 1:53 qualifying victory for driver-trainer Andrew Stafford, co-owner with Bonnie Benson. Liberty Style moved down the back to command and came home in :55-:27.1 in winning by over ten lengths.
The amount of improvement in potential a horse can show from two to three was exemplified by the Bettor’s Wish pacing colt Bettor Behold, on the engine despite post eight and home in :55.1-:27.2 to post a 1:54.1 win, also winning by ten+ lengths. If this one can put occasional behavior problems behind him, he could be a nice one for driver-trainer Cote Keim, co-owner with Michelle Rickey.
On the trot, the dual-eligible Pennsylvania-Maryland Captain Corey three-year-old filly Show Pony now has two winning qualifiers on her card, trotting her back numbers in :58.3-:28.4 for a 1:59.3 success for driver Corey Callahan and trainer-owner Richard Hans.
Callahan was also behind the Sweet Lou ridgling Go Go Grasshopper, a PA Sire Stakes winner at two and three and 2-4 in his Championship races, who turned in a sparkling 1:52 victory for the red-hot Joe Bongiorno barn. Go Go Grasshopper must have been thinking of his dam, Faster Faster (good name for a musical group in this city, the Eagles), as he streaked home in :54.3-:27.
Callahan’s double was matched by the team of driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Enrico Robinson, who combined for the fastest trotting victory, a 1:55.3 win with the Resolve gelding Resolve To Win, who has earned $407,296.
The Philly backstretch will also be abuzz Wednesday morning, when the draw for the annual Super Sunday card, featuring three $100,000 Invitationals and Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action for sophomore pacing colts, will be put together.
Free Philly program pages for the pari-mutuel races, plus replays of the qualifiers, are or will be available at www.phha.org.
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