Harrah's Philadelphia: Todd McCarthy rolls a seven on "Trottin' Thursday"

In Todd McCarthy's first 2026 action at Philly this past Sunday, he failed to hit the board in six drives. But on the track's next card on "Trottin' Thursday," the transplanted Australian made up for lost time - he visited the winner's circle on seven occasions, including taking both feature races.

The $16,000 fast-class trot saw McCarthy get away in the pocket with the Alarm Detector gelding Indy Be Quick, duck inside for the drive, then just prevail over fellow Dover shipper Arrowhead Hanover while taking a new mark of 1:53. Arrowhead Hanover went a giant mile himself uncovered, but came up a nose shy on the money. Team Neilson - trainer Dawn Erin and owner David - saw their trotter raise his lifetime bankroll to $252,026.

As taxing as Indy Be Quick's victory was, the win in the $13,500 co-feature trot for McCarthy and Southwind Alamo was just as easy, despite the 3-year-old Tactical Landing colt having to be the first-up in his seasonal debut. But the promising sophomore handled the hard journey with aplomb, lowering his speed badge to 1:53 3/5 for trainer Ron Coyne Jr. and the partnership of Coyne & Pachuta Stable, Blair Corbeil, Richard Carney, and Mike McAllister.

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Driver McCarthy raised his meet UDR up 433 points on the day with the seven-bagger, joined with a second and two thirds. He went from tied for last to second in the sulky standings, with Tim Tetrick, trying for his sixth straight Philly crown, doubling to add to his seven wins on the first two cards. The septet also set a 2026 high for eastern Pennsylvania harness racing, as Brett Beckwith and Tyler Buter have both posted six-win days at Pocono.

There were two trainers on the card with two wins, Ron Coyne Jr. and Per Engblom, and they are the leading trainers at the two Keystone eastside tracks. Coyne Jr. tops all other conditioners with three in the three days of racing here, and Engblom leads the standings at Pocono. No extra points for guessing who drove all four of their winners.

Friday's 12:25 card will feature a pair of $12,000 contests for developing horses and an $11,500 fast-class handicap pace for females which will start the card.

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