Bongiornos dominate Boxing Day at Harrah’s Philadelphia

J M Mandamin’s ($3.00) scintillating 1:49 win in the Sunday afternoon (Dec. 26) feature at Harrah’s Philadelphia ignited a banner day for the Bongiorno siblings. It gave trainer Jenn Bongiorno the first of her four training wins on the Boxing Day card, and it was the first of five consecutive wins for driver Joe Bongiorno.

J M Mandamin, whom the Bongiornos campaign for owner Robert Weinstein, vaulted to the fore from his assigned outside post seven in the $22,500 Winners Over Handicap Pace to control a :26.2 first quarter over Mike’s Z Tam (Pat Lachance), who pushed forward at the pegs to secure the pocket.

After rating a :55.1 half, J M Mandamin dug in to parry a first-over challenge from Shadow Cat (George Napolitano Jr.) through three-quarters in 1:22 before sprinting 5-1/2 lengths clear in the stretch. Shadow Cat held second over Mike’s Z Tam, who gave futile chase from the pocket.

J M Mandamin, a 5-year-old Mach Three gelding, recorded his 10th win of the season and the 20th of his career.

The Bongiornos also teamed up to win with Somebaddude ($6.60, 1:51.4), Captains Maid ($9.40, 1:52.2) and Ostro Hanover ($3.20, 1:50.3). Joe Bongiorno’s other driving win came with Ron Burke trainee His Beats Hanover ($4.20, 1:52).

The final week of the 2021 meet at Harrah’s Philadelphia commences Wednesday (Dec. 29); first post is 12:25 p.m.