Harrah's Philadelphia: Closers thrive in Simpson Memorial action for rookie pacing fillies

It was an unusual Friday afternoon at Harrah's Philadelphia, as most of the feature races, including the two divisions of the $93,200 Razzle Hanover, the John Simpson Sr. Memorial stake for 2-year-old pacing fillies, were taken by horses coming from well off-the-pace on the normally speed-favoring track.

The Always B Miki-Emily Car filly Extreme Z Tam was reserved along the inside in the first Razzle Hanover/Simpson division by trainer/driver Pat Lachance, then came closing strongly up the open stretch, pacing her own last quarter in 27 seconds to catch the pace-setter and favorite Ginger Tree Coco by a neck. The winning time of 1:53 3/5 was, of course, a lifetime race mark since it was the first purse victory for Extreme Z Tam, who is owned by Lachance, M & M Harness Racing LLC., and Royal Flush Stable LLC.

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Also winning a purse race for the first time in her career was the Sweet Lou-Luvthebeachlife miss IIluvloucy, who was still last at headstretch, but who made up four lengths in the stretch for driver Corey Callahan to catch the first-over favorite Falana Hanover by half a length in 1:54 1/5. Travis Alexander conditions the filly for M Spacc Stables, Fiddler's Creek Stables LLC, D'Elegance Stable IX and T L P Stable.

--press release (PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)--