CHESTER PA – Trotter Shinkansen and pacer Bombshell Hanover were the winners of the co-featured $11,200 races on the Friday afternoon card at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Shinkansen was brought to the race in prime form by trainer Kelvin “Red” Harrison despite last having raced 22 days ago. The Sebastian K S sophomore gelding strung out the field through early fractions of :28 and :56.2, then received a big challenge from Heat Wave Hanover to, through, and past a 1:24.1 three-quarter clocking. Shinkansen dug in for more under the urging of Andrew McCarthy and posted a 2¼ length victory over his game rival in 1:53.2, a lifetime best by two seconds, for owners LST Stables and William Devan Jr.
Joe Bongiorno and David Miller each had three winners on the Friday card at Philly.
Only two horses, both trotting fillies, have been both preliminary pointleader and divisional Champion in their Pennsylvania Sire Stakes campaigns at both two and three, and on Sunday at Philly Sister Sledge will look to add her name to those of Coulatine and Frau Blucher when she goes to the gate in one of four $252,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Championships for three-year-olds.