Harrah's Philadelphia: Sunday's handle passes $1 million mark

Driver Simon Allard enjoyed top billing on Sunday afternoon (May 16) at Harrah's Philadelphia by way of a five-win performance capped by a 1:50 4/5 score from Magical Mistress ($10.00) in the $16,200 distaff pacing feature.

After a strong start from post four in the field of seven, Magical Mistress yielded control of the pace to 6-5 favorite Caviart Cherie (Daniel Dube), and was content to track sectional times of 26 2/5, 56 2/5, and 1:23 before angling to the open stretch off the home turn. Allard asked Magical Mistress for every bit of energy she had through the stretch, and the 5-year-old Camystic mare surged in the final 70 yards to collar Caviart Cherie by a head. Crazy Cute (George Napolitano Jr.) finished third, two lengths back, after forcing the pace to quicken up the backstretch.

Magical Mistress, a standout in her native Prince Edward Island as a 2-year-old, is trained by Lou Pena for Island native Donald MacRae in partnership with D Racing Stable Inc. She has won 21 of her 39 career starts to date.

Allard also took both sub-featured events for male pacers, driving Pyro ($5.00) to a 1:49 3/5 victory for trainer Gilbert Garcia-Owen before teaming up with another Pena trainee in Somewhere Fancy ($13.40), also a 1:49 3/5 winner. His other driving wins came aboard Dealt A Winner ($3.20, 1:50 3/5) and Better Take It ($2.80, 1:51 1/5).

All-sources handle for the 14-race card was $1,037,261.

Wednesday's (May 19) card at Harrah's Philadelphia showcases a trio of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes events for 3-year-old pacing fillies, featuring defending champion and Three Diamonds winner Blue Diamond Eyes, Breeders Crown runner-up JK Alwaysbalady, and Matron winner Continualou among the 17 entrants. On the betting front, an $8,286.37 Pick 5 carryover has sparked a $30,000 guaranteed total pool for the same wager on Wednesday, beginning in race five.

Post time is 12:25 p.m. EDT.

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