Harrah's Philadelphia: Trio of 2-year-old champions win qualifiers

The 2020 Dan Patch award-winner in the 2-year-old trotting filly category, Anoka Hanover, and the O'Brien award-winner in that division, Donna Soprano, were successful in qualifying races at Harrah's Philadelphia on Tuesday morning, as was the O'Brien winner for 2-year-old pacing fillies, Scarlett Hanover.

Anoka Hanover, a Donato Hanover filly who was also successful in a Philly qualifier last week, won Tuesday in 1:56 1/5, coming her own back fractions in 56 - 27 4/5. A winner in 10-of-14 at 2, including the Goldsmith Maid, Kindergarten Final, and both Lexington Grand Circuit stakes, Anoka Hanover was driven by Todd McCarthy for trainer Noel Daley, the latter co-owner with Caviart Farms, Crawford Farms Racing, and L. A. Express Stable LLC.

Donna Soprano, also a daughter of Donato Hanover, was successful in her morning session in 1:56 4/5, her back numbers 57 4/5 - 28 4/5 for driver Bob McClure, trainer Luc Blais and owner Determination. Donna Soprano won five of seven as a freshman, trotted in 1:53 3/5 over the big track in Ontario, and was second to the fast colt Venerate in the Mohawk Million.

The O'Brien winner among last season's freshman pacing fillies, Scarlett Hanover, also had a successful Tuesday at the riverside oval, triumphing in 1:52 4/5, last quarter 27 3/5, for driver David Miller, trainer Ron Burke, and the ownership of Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Frank Baldachino, and J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby. The Bettor's Delight miss won her Ontario Super Final and was third in the Breeders Crown.

The fastest qualifier of the day came from the Betting Line 3-year-old pacing filly Darby Hanover. She rallied off a fast pace to stop the timer in 1:52 1/5 for driver Andy Miller, trainer/wife Julie Miller, and the partnership of Andy Miller Stable Inc., Mr. Caroll Huffman, and Let It Ride Stables Inc. Darby Hanover had wins in the Simpson and Keystone Classic stakes last year, and she took three legs of the PA Stallion Series before finishing second in the final.

-edited release (PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)