Native Bride simply stunning in PASS

Native Bride and Brian Sears win PASS leg in 1:51.2 at Chester. (Photo by World Wide Racing Photos)

Edging first-over up the backstretch, Native Bride ($2.60) scored her third consecutive win and her eleventh career victory in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action Monday (July 14) afternoon at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack, turning in an impressive 1:51.2 performance with much in reserve.

The three-year-old daughter of Allamerican Native and Nova sat just off leaders Saymynamesaymyname (David Miller) and Fiddle Rose (Yannick Gingras) through splits of :27.2 and :55.4.  Despite an honest early pace, Brian Sears angled Native Bride first-over up the backstretch, applying steady pressure to Saymynamesaymyname into the far turn and reaching her saddle pad by three-quarters of 1:23.1. 

At the head of the stretch, Native Bride took the lead and drew off under mild urging to win by a length and a half.  Fiddle Rose was second best, with Saymynamesaymyname fading to third.

Joe Pavia, Jr. trains Native Bride for owners Jay Sears and T H Stable, LLC.

In other Sire Stakes action, driver Aaron Merriman was victorious in his local debut, winning with Lucy B (Whelan Willie-Bessie B) in
1:52.3.  Other division winners were Dragonfest (Dragon Again-Festive Spring, 1:52.4, Andy Miller) and Respectable (Blissfull Hall-Hawaiian Beachlady, 1:53.3, Yannick Gingras).

Live racing returns to Harrah's Chester on Wednesday, July 16, with first post scheduled for 12:25 p.m. eastern time.

By: James Witherite-Rieg, on-course commentator at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack

In Focus, Lear Jetta Victorious Again In PASS

Despite a dominant (though much expected) performance by Lear Jetta inWednesday's (June 18) Pennsylvania Sire Stakes at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack, it was In Focus who was most impressive among five $41,728 divisions raced for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

In Focus ($2.80) left for early contention in the first division, along with NF Rivertown (Joe Pavia, Jr.) and Reputation (RogerHammer).  After NF Rivertown made a break in stride, Reputation was able to gradually close up the pocket spot, tracking In Focus through fractions of :27.1, :58.0, and 1:27.1.  On the far turn, Reputation pulled pocket on In Focus, applying steady pressure before making a game effort in the stretch, with In Focus prevailing by a neck in 1:56.3.

"He didn't handle the turns as well as he did at the Meadows and Pocono, but he's a quality horse," commented winning driver DavePalone.  "I wasn't really concerned when we levelled off the turn and Hammer came to me, I thought I could hold him off."Jimmy Takter trains the three-year-old gelded son of S J's Photo forowners Christina Takter, John Fielding, and Jim Fielding.

"He's a quality animal," continued Palone.  "He's one of those horses that likes to win races, and so far, so good."All eyes were on Lear Jetta ($2.10) in the day's fourth division, whorated a :58.4 middle half before winning by 3-1/2 lengths under wrapsin 1:57.3.  The Lindy Lane colt easily made the front for driver TimTetrick before backing into the field and opening up steadily on the far turn.

From the sidelines, Palone commented:  "Lear Jetta's a quality horse.He won in hand today, and he's very versatile."Production (1:57.1) and Casperdfrendlyhors (1:57.0) gave Tetrick aSire Stakes driving triple, with An Honorable Man (1:56.4) winning forTony Morgan in the final division.

By:James Witherite-Rieg, on-course commentator at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack

Harrah's Chester Week In Review

Despite being overshadowed by Buck I St Pat's 1:52.57 world-record performance in the Maxie Lee Memorial Trot at Harrah's Chester this past week, many horses turned in noteworthy performances throughout the week.

Sunday (May 25) afternoon's Open Pace saw Mister Big ($3.40) return to the races after a long string of qualifiers. Sitting second-over on the far turn, Brian Sears tipped the five-year-old Grinfromeartoear entire three-wide at the head of the stretch and nailed Philos Hanover (Cat Manzi) at the line to secure a 1:50.0 win.

Tivoli Hanover ($17.20) was also victorious from the second-over
position, kicking off the cover of Noble Falcon to take the Four-Year-Old Open in 1:49.4.  Daniel Dube drove the gelded son of
Western Hanover.  Hennessy Hanover (Ron Pierce) and For Starz Sue (Tim Tetrick) also broke the 1:50 mark, turning in miles of 1:49.2 and 1:49.3, respectively.

The Mares Open Pace on Monday (May 26) afternoon saw My Little Dragon ($4.40) turn in a simply dominant performance, brushing to the front just after the quarter and drawing clear by 6-3/4 lengths in a 1:50.1 mile.  Australian Andrew McCarthy handled the driving duties on the five-year-old Dragon Again mare.

Wednesday's (May 28) card saw Harrah's Chester attract record handle, with $885,009 wagered on the thirteen-race card.  Harness racing in greater Philadelphia continues to gain the respect of punters nationwide, with average daily handle exceeding $540,000.

Be aware that on June 15 and August 17 (both Sunday afternoons), Harrah's Chester will employ a 3:00 p.m. first post.

By: James Witherite-Rieg, on-course commentator at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack

Harrah's Chester Week In Review 5-22-2008

A track record performance by Railee Possible in Thursday's (May 22) featured Open Handicap Trot at Harrah's Chester highlighted the week's racing action, along with top-notch efforts from Symphony in Motion and Philos Hanover in their respective Open events.

Railee Possible ($6.60), a six-year-old Anythings Possible gelding,
broke the track record for older trotting geldings with a 1:52.3 mile, racing well off dueling leaders Woody Woodrow (George Napolitano, Jr.) and Flash Lightning (Glenn Berger) for much of the mile.  With Flash Lightning tiring from a brutal first-over journey, Daniel Dube angled Railee Possible three-wide up the backstretch, sweeping up to join Woody Woodrow at the front on the far turn before drawing clear by 4-1/4 lengths.  Falls For You (Cat Manzi) followed the winner's cover to be second, with Four Starz Robro (Jonathan Roberts) a ground-saving third.

Mark Silva trains Railee Possible for Frank and Inge Smith.

In Monday's (May 19) featured Fillies and Mares Open Pace, Symphony In Motion ($5.60) kicked off the cover of Ideal Weather (Yannick Gingras) to score a 1:51.4 victory.  The four-year-old Bettor's Delight mare raced well off pacesetter J K Pure Pearl (Andy Miller) before Dave Miller angled her third-over up the backstretch before a strong :28.2 final quarter.  Larry Remmen trains Symphony In Motion for owners Joseph Jannuzzelli and Carol DeMarch.

After Buck I St Pat and Before He Cheats took their respective Maxie Lee Memorial Trot eliminations on the Sunday (May 18) program, Philos Hanover ($18.00) parlayed pocket position into a 1:51.4 win against sub-featured Open company.  Cat Manzi tracked pacesetter Cue The Paige (Tony Morgan) with the five-year-old Cam's Card Shark entire, angling to the open stretch in the final sixteenth to come home in :27.4 after a tepid middle half.  Joe Poliseno trains Philos Hanover for owner John Cancelliere.

Live racing returns to Harrah's Chester on Sunday (May 25), with the first race of the Maxie Lee undercard slated for a 12:25 p.m. post time.  The Memorial Day (May 26) card will begin at 3:00 p.m.

By: James Witherite-Rieg, on-course commentator at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack

Harrah's Chester Week In Review

With the Maxie Lee Memorial trot just around the corner, trotters have been heating up throughout the week at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack, flashing some quick miles on the heels of Wildfire Julie'strack-record 1:53.1 performance last week.

The Wednesday (May 14) co-featured conditioned trot saw Woody Woodrow ($8.80) turn in a wire-to-wire performance, holding late comers at baythrough a 1:54 mile.  George Napolitano, Jr. handled the drivingduties for trainer Alan Sacco.  In the Thursday (May 15) feature,Kaline ($3.80) made his local debut a successful one, scoring thewinning run in a lifetime best 1:54.1.  Cat Manzi was at the lines fortrainer Anouk Busch.

The top pacers on the eastern seaboard turned in some impressiveperformances on Sunday (May 11) afternoon, with three miles clocked at1:50 or faster.  Quality Western ($8.80) was a neck winner in the$40,000 Open Pace, closing from just off the pace for a 1:50 win.  CueThe Paige ($3.60) also stopped the timer in 1:50, leading the $35,000Four-Year-Old Open from gate to wire.  Philos Hanover ($53.80) scoredthe fastest mile of the week, overtaking Psilvuheartbreaker in deepstretch for a 1:49.3 effort in the $35,000 Winners Over Pace.

Speed name of the game at Chester

In the past two weeks, of 104 races contested, 37 of them (35.6%) havebeen won by the leader at race's midpoint.  Likewise, 19 races (18.3%)have been won from a pocket trip, and 15 (14.4%) from a first-overposition.Chester Pick 4 a winning propositionThis season, the Harrah's Chester Pick 4 (offered daily on races 6through 9) offers a 15 per cent takeout, one of the lowest in all ofhorse racing.  As a result, Pick 4 dividends have averaged over$1,100, and have yielded on average a return 79 per cent higher than acorresponding win parlay.

Live racing takes place at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack everySunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with first post scheduled for12:25 p.m.  On Memorial Day (Monday, May 26), first post will be 3:00 p.m.

By: James Witherite-Rieg, on-course commentator at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack

Enough Talk Impressive In Prep At Chester 

With a disappointing performance in the Su Mac Lad at the Meadowlands well behind him, Enough Talk was quick to return to his winning ways, turning in a 1:53.2 mile against Open trotters at Harrah's Chester on Thursday (May 8) afternoon as a final prep before the Elitlopp in Sweden at the end of the month.

In a race devoid of early speed, the versatile Enough Talk ($3.40) went to the front, easily clearing Jake's Nordic (Tim Curtin) on the first turn and controlling the tempo through a respectable--yet controlled--half mile of :56.2.  Moving up the backstretch, Canadian invader Chick N Tell (Eric Goodell) began to apply constant first-over pressure to the leader, reaching Enough Talk's saddle pad on the third quarter split of 1:24.4.  With Chick N Tell all-out, and American Lane (Cat Manzi) looming from off the pace, Enough Talk responded quickly despite minimal Tim Tetrick urging, drawing clear by 2-1/4 lengths for the 1:53.2 victory.

Looking ahead to the Elitlopp, owner/trainer Peter Kleinhans has a few unanswered questions, but is very optimistic about Enough Talk's chances.  "I just have no idea what to expect from the foreign competition; I've never seen any of them race," commented Kleinhans. "I have no idea, maybe they're much better or maybe they're inferior. That's sort of a big question mark."

In addition to a flight to Amsterdam and a twenty-hour ship to Solvalla racetrack, the two-heat format of the Elitlopp will prove grueling, but Kleinhans has faith in the five-year-old Enjoy Lavec gelding.  "I think he will respond to heat racing better than the average horse, because he's a tough, rugged horse.  It'll affect him less than the average horse."

Wildfire Julie turns in record performance

After Sunday's speed explosion at the greater Philadelphia oval, Misty Miller's Wildfire Julie trotted a record mile in the Monday (May 5) opener, drawing clear of prohibitive favorite Muscles To Spare by 3-1/4 lengths to take a $17,000 conditioned trot in 1:53.1--a track record for older trotting mares.  The six-year-old Inquirer mare won in wire-to-wire fashion, beating the former record of 1:54.2 set by Stacelita in 2007.  David Miller handled the driving duties for trainer Noel Daley.

Live racing continues at Harrah's Chester every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with first post at 12:25 p.m. daily.

By: James Witherite-Rieg, on-course commentator at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack

Pacific Playboy Equals Chester Track Record

Last July, Boulder Creek kicked cover from Lis Mara en route to victory in the inaugural Ben Franklin Pace, stopping the timer in an all-age track record 1:48.3.  On Sunday's (May 4) card at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack, Pacific Playboy equalled Boulder Creek's mark, scoring in wire-to-wire fashion.  Consequently, the 1:48.3 mile equals the world record for pacing geldings on a five-eighths mile track, joining Boulder Creek and Casimir Camotion--whom Pacific Playboy defeated--in the record books.

The eight-year-old gelded son of Pacific Fella left immediately from post seven, clearing Sharky Osborne (Tony Morgan) effortlessly on the first turn en route to a :26.0 opening quarter.  Going unchallenged through middle splits of :53.3 and 1:20.4, Pacific Playboy felt mild pressure at best from Sharky Osborne, who pulled pocket midway through the far turn.  Pacific Playboy responded quickly and coasted home to a 1-1/2 length victory, finishing under mild urging in 1:48.3 (1:48.77) ahead of Sharky Osborne and Quality Western (Tim Tetrick).  Brian Sears handled the driving duties for trainer Ernest Adam.

Four other miles eclipsed the 1:50 mark on the card, with Cue ThePaige (1:49.3, Tony Morgan), Driven To Win (1:49.4, Brian Sears), Slickest Hanover (1:50, Eric Goodell), and Print It (1:50, Brian Sears) also beating the mark.  Cue The Paige set a track record for four-year-old pacing geldings, which was unofficially equalled by Tivoli Hanover before his disqualification for bearing into the path of Slickest Hanover.

Live racing returns to Harrah's Chester on Monday (May 5) afternoon, with a 12:25 p.m. first post time.

By: James Witherite-Rieg, on-course commentator at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack

It's That Time for Pennsylvania Sire Stakes

After tracking Papa Hemingway up the backstretch (Dave Miller),Bulletproof Enterprises' It's That Time ($2.80) tipped to the openstretch under moderate urging to secure a 1:51.3 (1:51.68) victory inthe first leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for three-year-oldpacing colts and geldings, held Thursday (May 1) at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack.

The son of Real Artist scored his third career win in ten starts withTim Tetrick in tow, leaving aggressively from the center of the trackand setting honest fractions of :27.3 (:27.71) and :56.1 (:56.37)before Papa Hemingway brushed to the front.  With a first-over MysteryChase (George Napolitano, Jr.) making his bid past three-quarters in1:23.1 (1:23.23), Tetrick was forced to angle It's That Time to theopen stretch, drawing clear by 2-1/4 lengths from Mystery Chase, and an all-out Papa Hemingway, who faded back to third.

Tetrick also drove Atochia (1:52.2, 1:52.54) and Idle Hour (1:53.3,1:53.60) to victory in their respective divisions. Also winning theirdivisions were First Rate (1:52.1, 1:52.27, Eric Goodell), KeystoneNautilus (1:53.4, 1:53.89, Tony Morgan), and Oaks Hanover (1:54.2,1:54.40, Yannick Gingras).

Live racing returns to Harrah's Chester on Sunday (May 4), with a12:25 first post.  Racing continues on a four-day weekly schedule,taking place on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

By: James Witherite-Rieg, on-course commentator at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack

Tetrick wins six at Chester 

Leading the driver standings comfortably a mere six days into the 2008 season, Tim Tetrick again gave an impressive performance in the sulky at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack on Wednesday (April 30) afternoon, partnering six winners on the 13-race card.

Tetrick notched his first win of the day in the fourth race, angling Hoosier GB Diamond three-wide on the far turn for a 1:55.2 victory. Lucy Thundercloud brushed to the front in the sixth, responding to late challengers in a 1:53.2 mile.  Tetrick scored four consecutive wins beginning in race nine, with Unn (1:53.2), Frog Juice (1:53.0), a well-rated first-over score behind Jadah Rose (1:52.4), and Irak Attack (1:54.2).

Tetrick now has 24 wins through seven days of racing this year at Harrah's Chester.  Live racing resumes on Thursday, May 1, with a 12:25 first post.

By: James Witherite-Rieg, on-course commentator at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack

Southwind Tempo impressive in Betsy Ross

After dueling Darlin's Delight for early contention, Jerry Silva's Southwind Tempo ($2.80) was able to rate a conservative middle half before kicking clear to a 2-1/4 length victory in the $250,000 Betsy Ross Mares Pace at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack on Sunday (April 27) afternoon.

As the gate folded, Southwind Tempo and Darlin's Delight (Yannick Gingras) both left for a share of the early lead.  Darlin's Delight managed to poke a head in front going into the first turn, but quickly retreated to the pocket with My Little Dragon (Brian Sears) an alert and up-close third. "If I let [Darlin's Delight] go, I ran the risk of My Little Dragon popping out of the three-hole and leaving me third on the rail," commented driver John Campbell of his strategy in the race's early stages. "I thought if I could control the race, that she'd be very difficult to beat if I could get the middle half where I wanted."

Continually pressed from behind, the four-year-old Bettor's Delight mare reached the opening quarter in :26.2 (:26.54), but quickly put on the brakes, rating an incredibly soft second quarter and reaching the half in :55.4 (:55.90) despite My Little Dragon being flushed out by Street Dancer (Andy Miller) just into the bridge turn.

Facing mild pressure from My Little Dragon—who was at the leader's throatlatch—up the backstretch, Southwind Tempo was forced to pick up the pace to a three-quarter split of 1:23.2 (1:23.44). "My Little Dragon didn't come that hard up the backstretch, so I was still rating the third quarter," added Campbell.  With Illusionist (Ron Pierce) and Life of Luxury (Tim Tetrick) making strong bids at the head of the stretch, the Kevin Lare trainee quickly responded.  "Then, at the head of the stretch, she just opened up real quick."  Southwind Tempo kicked clear to a two-length lead at the head of the stretch and held clear despite late rallies from My Little Dragon and Darlin's Delight, stopping the timer in 1:50.2 (1:50.59).

The winner's share of $125,000 increases Southwind Tempo's career earnings to $1,159,004. "It's a benefit to have a horse that handy, and that makes all the difference in the world," concluded Campbell. The sub-featured Open Pace also saw Campbell visit the winner's circle, partnering Pacific Playboy ($5.00) to victory in a time of 1:50.0 (1:50.13).  Pacific Playboy is an eight-year-old gelded son of Pacific Fella owned by the Summersby Stable and trained by Ernest Adam.

Live racing returns to Harrah's Chester on Monday, April 28, with the first of thirteen races scheduled for a 12:25 p.m. post time.

By: James Witherite-Rieg, on-course commentator at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack

Harrah's Chester week in review

Mares were in the spotlight in the first week of the 2008 meet at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack, with Southwind Tempo, Life of Luxury, Ladyfield, and Buck I St Pat all taking feature events at the riverside oval.

Buck I St Pat ($5.20) beat the boys in Thursday afternoon's Open Trot, tracking the leaders through soft fractions before angling three-wide on the far turn.  At the head of the stretch, she took the lead from American Lane (Cat Manzi) and held him at bay through the final strides of a 1:54.4 mile.  Tim Tetrick drove the five-year-old Jailhouse Jesse mare for trainer Mickey Burke.

Monday's Open Filly and Mare Pace saw Ladyfield ($6.40) sustain a first-over journey, holding off a host of late challengers for a 1:51.4 victory.  Tony Morgan was in the bike for trainer Victor Keeler behind the five-year-old Armbro Cadet mare.

Southwind Tempo and Life of Luxury won their respective eliminations of the Betsy Ross Mares Pace this past Sunday, with both slated to return for Sunday's (April 27) $250,000 final.  The entry of Southwind Tempo and Benear have been dispatched at 6-5 odds in the morning line.

Rounding out the field are My Little Dragon, Darlin's Delight, Street Dancer, Illusionist, and Symphony In Motion.

Live racing will take place on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday on a weekly basis at Harrah's Chester, with first post scheduled daily at 12:25 p.m.

By: James Witherite-Rieg, on-course commentator at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack