Neither wind nor cold temperatures stood in the way of John Barnard's St Elmo Hero ($2.40), who won his 17th race in as many career starts, in his $20,000 division of the Blue Route Late Closing Pacing Series on Monday at

Harrah's Chester.

The four-year-old Western Hero gelding was a bit unsettled on the first turn before clearing No Monkeys Allowed (Yannick Gingras) en route to a :27.3 first quarter, but it was no looking back from that point. St Elmo Hero was unopposed through middle splits of :57.3 and 1:25, and was hand-driven through the stretch to hold clear of his pocket rival. Diablo Seelster (George Napolitano) leveled off facing the breeze but managed to hold third.

St Elmo Hero won in 1:52.2 under Tim Tetrick, who notched four other wins on the afternoon.

Meirs Hanover ($6.20) was the fastest Blue Route division winner, taking a powerful 1:51.1 clocking in rein to Yannick Gingras. Abs Attack ($3.20, Gingras, 1:53) and Aintnofoolsgold ($9.40, Tetrick, 1:53.1) also were victorious in their splits.

The Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, and JJK Stables' Lucky Bettor ($2.60) took the speed mark among a quintet of $25,000 I-95 Late Closing Pacing Series divisions, repelling a challenge from Cheyenne Barry to win in 1:51.3 under Yannick Gingras. While Jetty ($4.80, Napolitano, 1:52.2), Vertical Horizon ($6.80, Tetrick, 1:52.1), and Cinderella Guy ($5.80, Andy Miller, 1:51.4) also visited the winner's circle, Mildred Ventriglio's Warning Zone ($46.20) stole the show with a sweeping last-to-first move on the far turn to just nail odds-on favourite Riggins in 1:51.4 under Eric Goodell.

Road To Riches Late Closing Series action continues tomorrow at Harrah's Chester, with first post set for 12:45 p.m. eastern time.

(Harrah's Chester)