Harrah's Philadelphia: Ideal Jimmy headlines feature in 2020 opener

The trotters and pacers make their long-awaited return to pari-mutuel action this Sunday afternoon at Harrah’s Philadelphia, with eight fast-class types lining up for the $14,400 seventh race featured event.

Starting from the rail is the veteran Western Ideal gelding Ideal Jimmy, who returns to racing adding the medication Lasix and coming off two impressive qualifiers at the Wingate Farms Spa training center, the latest on Monday, finishing in 1:54 3/5 under a hold. A victory here would push Ideal Jimmy over $800,000 in career earnings for driver Marcus Miller, trainer/father Erv Miller, and owner D.R. Van Witzenburg.

Three of the eight feature entrants - Alluneedisfaith N (PP3), Ana Afreet N (PP5), and Kinnder Jackson (PP7) - have the advantage of a race under their girth after the down period, and all three were within two lengths of the winner in 1:51 miles at The Meadowlands - efforts that could put them right there on the money in this contest.

The Sunday Philly card also has very promising youngsters scattered throughout the programm as they prepare for their delayed stakes campaigns. Trainer Chris Ryder, conditioner of last year's 3-year-old champion Bettor's Wish, may have a pair of sophomores "waiting in the wings" as they come to Philly off 2020 winning debuts - Moneyman Hill in the third race and Barrage Hanover in the fourteenth race final contest.

Sunday's Philly action will begin at 12:40 PM, and will retain that starting time as the track swings into its regular schedule, with racing at 12:25 on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

-edited release (PHHA/Philly)