CHESTER PA – Driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Scott Di Domenico combined for a sweep of the fast-class pacing features over a “sloppy” Harrah’s Philadelphia course on Sunday afternoon.
In the $13,000 top-line event, the Shadow Play gelding Jack’s Shadow N went right to the lead and proved uncatchable by his opponents, putting up fractions of :27.1, :56, and 1:24 before speeding home in :27 to keep pocketsitter Belmont Shadow N a half-length behind to the wire. The winner of $372,040 is owned by Triple D Stables Inc. Oompa’s Farm Inc., and Robert Mondillo.
Two races earlier, Tetrick tucked third early with the Somebeachsomewhere gelding Adam Crocker A, then moved to the lead past the :27.1 quarter, put up midsplits of :55.2 and 1:23.2, then kept first-over Dean B Hanover at bay by 1¼ lengths to take the $11,000 fast-class subfeature pace in 1:51.3. Dominic Pinto owns the winner of three straight.
There was a pair of $12,000 contests for horses looking to climb the classladder. In the trotting event, the Muscle Hill colt Pirate’s Loot, a $220,000 yearling, kept earning some of that loot back with a 1:57.2 victory, remaining undefeated after three seasonal starts for driver Mattias Melander, trainer/brother Marcus, and S R F Stable.
The roan Huntsville colt Takanaki gives a singular experience to the eyes on the racetrack, and people are noticing him even more after he ran his 2024 record to two-for-two with a 1:52.2 success for trainer Paul Jessop, also co-owner with Laurie Molnar, in the companion pacing event. Takanaki has now created special moments for his drivers of the last two weeks: last week he gave Ross Wolfenden a win in that driver’s first excursion outside his Delaware base in three years, and today he provided Mark Herschberger his first-ever triumph over the Philly oval.
An hour later, Herschberger won again, tying him for the day’s sulky honors with Tetrick, George Napolitano Jr. (who stayed only five races before going to Pocono), and Todd McCarthy. The last-named remains tied with Tetrick atop the Philly driver standings with 21 successes. Di Domenico had the card’s only training double.
Racing resumes at Philly on Thursday at 12:25, with Chake bidding for his second straight success in the $13,000 featured trot. Philly programs are or will be available at www.phha.org.