On Sunday, November 10, the powerful French-Canadian contender Calicojack Hanover made waves at Harrah’s Philadelphia, securing victory in the $18,750 handicap pacing feature. The Captaintreacherous colt, driven by Daniel Dube and trained by Luc Blais for Determination, clocked in at 1:51.4.
Entering this event after a fourth-place finish in the Breeders Crown, Calicojack Hanover was heavily backed by the crowd. Dube confidently guided the favourite to the lead after a :26.4 first quarter, easing into a :56.2 half. The colt then surged forward with a :55.2 last half, finishing effortlessly, with Dube sparing the three-year-old any late exertion.
The $15,278 co-feature went to Contact Zone, a Bettors Delight gelding, who raced a swift final half in 55.1, finishing at 1:52.2. Guided by David Miller, Contact Zone capitalised on a two-hole trip, using the passing lane to outpace first-over favourite Braeview Bondi A and clinch victory by a neck for trainer Izzy Estrada and Estrada Racing LLC.
Sunday also saw the spotlight shift to high-paying underdogs. Gatsby delivered a $56.00 payout in the second race, while Ginger Tree Liz followed with a $51.00 win in the sixth, tying trainer Chris Temming with Joe Eisenhower Sr. for top longshot wins this season.
The biggest upset came from Boris Badenov, a Badlands Hanover colt who closed with a powerful stretch to beat Steam Play and Captain Fear, earning his maiden win and paying $201.00—the highest win payout of the year at Philly. Driver Jack Pelling has now notched three $50+ “bombers” this meet, matching Troy Beyer. November 10 joined October 13 as a standout day for longshots at Harrah’s.
David Miller led the day’s success, adding three victories to his tally, bringing his weekly total at Philly to eight. Harrah’s Philadelphia continues its schedule on Thursday and Friday at 12:25 p.m. and Sunday at 12:40 p.m.