Harrah's Philadelphia: Gutsy performance by Homicide Hunter in Great Northeast Open Series

Despite being strung out early by rival Top Flight Angel, Crawford Farms Racing's Homicide Hunter ($4.40) had enough energy to fend off a late charge from All Champy in Great Northeast Open Series action on Sunday afternoon (May 19) at Harrah's Philadelphia, taking the day's featured $30,000 trot in 1:52 4/5.

In their first meeting since the 2018 Breeders Crown, Homicide Hunter (Yannick Gingras) and Top Flight Angel (Marcus Miller) — one-two in last year's season-ending classic — threw down immediately from the outset. The pair sprinted well clear of Scirocco Rob (David Miller) on the first turn, and Homicide Hunter battled to force Top Flight Angel into the pocket through a 27 second first quarter. After pulling the half back to 56 2/5, Homicide Hunter again accelerated up the far side, inching away from Top Flight Angel past three-quarters in 1:24 3/5 but also preparing for the first-over challenge of All Champy (Simon Allard).

All Champy, who angled out from fifth at race's midpoint, worked to within a half-length of Homicide Hunter at the eighth pole, but could get no closer at any point in the homestretch. Homicide Hunter earned the 40th win of his career by that same half-length margin over All Champy, while even-money choice Top Flight Angel finished third another 2 1/2 lengths in arrears.

Ron Burke trains Homicide Hunter, whose 1:48 4/5 effort at The Red Mile last October is the fastest ever from a trotter.

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