Harrah's Philadelphia: Simpson Memorial stakes top Sunday slate

The annual stand of the John Simpson Sr. Memorial stakes series, honoring the Hall of Fame horseman and executive, got underway on Sunday afternoon at Harrah's Philadelphia. The first group to be featured was the 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings, competing in two $46,100 divisions of a race named the Bret Hanover, since all the Simpson Stakes carry a subname of a horse that was associated with Simpson throughout his long and storied career.

The faster of the two winners was Just Bet It All, who lowered his mark to 1:51 3/5 with Corey Callahan driving for Philly's top trainer Per Engblom and the ownership of Zippett Racing Stable, Evan Katz, and Amos Lengacher. A gelded son of Betting Line-Just Fine, Just Bet It All moved to the lead after a 27 second opener and was in control of the situation through fractions of 56 and 1:23 3/5 en route to a 5 1/4 length triumph over Mac's Delight. Favored Voukefalas, the winner of the NJSS final, an Arden Downs division, and a rich NJ Classic-A event, evidently needed the race after having competed only once July 30. Having dull cover didn't help him, but he didn't show his previous kick in finishing fourth here.

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Also enjoying Simpson stakes success on Sunday at Philly was the Captaintreacherous-KJ's Justine colt Ken Hanover, a 1:53 4/5 winner. Marcus Miller and his favored colt followed a similar style of tactics as did Just Bet It All: be moving near the 28 second opening quarter, take over for good in front of the stands, post fractions of 57 3/5 and 1:26 3/5, and then sprint home in 27 1/5, 2 1/4 lengths to the good of Captain Mikey. Rollie "Pollie" Mallar trains the winner, and he is the co-owner with Patrick Leavitt, William Jordan, and Dennis Osterholt.

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