After staving off pressure to prevail on the lead last week, Jacks Shadow N ($5.20) lifted off cover to just nab Itsrockandroll A in Sunday's (Oct. 18) featured event at Harrah's Philadelphia: a $14,400 top-level conditioned pace.
Driver Tim Tetrick was patient early with the six-year-old Shadow Play gelding, settling just worse than midfield while Da Delightful worked clear of Rock The Town to control through early splits of :27.1 and :55.3. Jacks Shadow N became more involved up the backstretch and rode the cover of Itsrockandroll A into contention as the pace intensified to three-quarters in 1:23.1.
As Itsrockandroll A pressed Da Delightful off the home turn, Tetrick flipped Jacks Shadow N three-wide. Itsrockandroll A collared Da Delightful with a sixteenth to go, but Jacks Shadow N accelerated down the center of the track to win by a neck in 1:50.3. Itsrockandroll A proved a game second; Da Delightful held off a mild inside bid from Rock The Town to save third.
Scott DiDomenico trains Jacks Shadow N for the Triple D Stables, Oompa's Farm and Robert Mondillo. The 17-time winner has now won four of his last five races.
Jenn Bongiorno notched a training hat trick, led by a sparkling 1:50.1 mile from Nicholas Beach ($2.60). Joe Bongiorno drove the four-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding to his seventh win in eight starts this season.
Wise Image ($5.00, 1:51) and Alex Tye ($5.00, 1:50.4) were Jenn Bongiorno's other victorious trainees on the 14-race card, and both were also driven by Joe.
Racing returns to Harrah's Philadelphia on Wednesday (Oct. 21), with a 14-race card scheduled and a $1,235.86 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5. Post time is 12:25 p.m. (EDT).
(Harrah's Philadelphia)