Mcmatters superb in Philly feature

CHESTER PA – The Explosive Matter gelding Mcmatters, making his debut for Team Orange Crush (driver Andy and trainer Julie Miller), went a giant first-over mile to catch heavy favorite Bluffinner, bidding for his fifth straight win, and take a division of the twin $14,400 trotting harness racing features at Harrah’s Philadelphia Thursday in 1:54.2.

Bluffinner moved to the lead under the wire the first time and looked like he might be tough to catch after getting a :59 half. But nobody told this to Mcmatters; the four-year-old started raw at the race’s midpoint, gained into a fast third panel and got a tuck in the pocket past the 1:26.4 three-quarters, then came out again for the stretch battle and went on by Bluffinner by 1¼ lengths. The math adds up to a raw last half of :54.4 for Mcmatters, earning his first win of the year for owner Denise Dennis.

 

MCMATTERS REPLAY

In the other headliner, the Muscle Massive gelding President was able to flush out favored Cocktails N Dreams, follow that one into the stretch, and then come home well to hold off the horse on his back, Blue Carats, by 1¼ lengths in a lifetime best of 1:55.4. Marcus Miller engineered the 7-1 upset for trainer Jody Riedel and Super Mile LLC.

 

PRESIDENT REPLAY

The fast-class trotters were featured in a $13,000 event, in which the 11-year-old Majestic Son entire Rock Of Cashel made it two straight with a 1:53.3 triumph. Todd McCarthy gradually moved his horse to the lead in front of the stands and dominated in the last quarter, with the veteran now having earnings of $778,954. Mark Harder trains for owners Joseph Jannuzzelli and Jeffery Ruch.

 

ROCK OF CASHEL REPLAY

The omnipresent $12,600 events for the developing “non-winners 3 races” youngsters will be featured in four slots on the 12:25 Friday Philly card: one for trotters, one for female pacers, and two for male pacers. Then comes the Memorial Day Weekend extravaganza, with a spectacular card on Sunday featuring three $100,000 Invitationals for North America’s top older horses, plus Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action for the hard-hitting three-year-old colt pacers; it will be followed up by a special Monday live card, with the two latter cards starting at 12:40. Program pages will be available at https://www.phha.org/harrahspps.html.

For full race results, click here.

From PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia