Harrah's Philadelphia: 3YO male pacers battle in Liberty Bell divisions

Three-year-old colt and gelding pacers clashed in three $30,000 Liberty Bell races on Friday afternoon at Harrah's Philadelphia. Trainer Ron Burke swept the trifecta in the first test and then sent out the top two finishers in the second tilt.

Brue Hanover (Joe Bongiorno) led at the 28 second quarter in the opening showdown, but he had been shuffled back to fourth turning for home. Despite losing the spots in the middle-half, Brue Hanover slid off the pylons and had a strong enough kick to rally past stablemates Girldad (Todd McCarthy) and Tip Top Cat (David Miller) to score by half a length in 1:51 3/5.

Brad Grant owns the victorious Stay Hungry gelding. The Hanover Shoe Farms-bred has 11 career victories, has pocketed $151,091 and paid $3.60 to win.

Muskateer Hanover (Miller) was the Burke Brigade's other Liberty Bell victor. He had a pocket trip through fractions of 26 4/5, 56 1/5 and 1:23 3/5, rallied in the passing lane in the stretch, and won by half a length over fellow Burke trainee Binge On Yankee (Bongiorno). Full Support (T. McCarthy), the pace-setter, ended up third.

A Sweet Lou gelding, Muskateer Hanover was also bred by Hanover Shoe Farms and is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC., Jim Simpson, Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky and Wingfield Five LLC. He has a summary of 5-3-3 from 18 tries, has put away $78,193 and returned $3.20 to win.

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In the final flight Larceny (Bongiorno) took command at the 27 2/5 opening quarter and kept it through a 55 4/5 half and a 1:23 3/5 three-quarters. Sir Issac Newton (T. McCarthy) was out and rolling first-up out of fourth in the backstretch, and he sustained his bid onto the final turn, then went by Larceny. From there, Sir Issac Newton kicked on to a 1 1/2 length victory over 1-5 favorite All Class (Andy McCarthy). Larceny wound up third.

Jim King Jr. trains Sir Issac Newton, a gelded son of Captaintreacherous, for owners/breeders Tim Tetrick LLC. and Jo Ann Looney-King. He is a five-time winner, has banked $62,933 and paid $27.20 to win as a 12-1 offering.