Winbak Speed proved much the best in Thursday night’s Finian Hanover $30,000 Open Handicap at Harrah’s Chester, turning away Proper Respect at the head of the stretch and winning in 1:51.2.

The six-year-old son of Village Jove and driver Brandon Givens settled behind Domitian Hanover and Proper Respect on the first turn before quickly brushing to the front. Despite pressure from Proper Respect up the backstretch and into the far turn, Winbak Speed managed to keep Proper Respect at bay to win in 1:51.2.
Domitian Hanover closed up the open stretch for second, and Proper Respect faded to third.

“As soon as Tony [Tony Morgan driving Proper Respect] cleared, I wanted to get to the front
before anyone else made a move,” said driver Brandon Givens. “That way, I could set my own pace. He’s a horse who never gets tired, and I knew I had another strong quarter. I was just on cruise control.”

Trainer Wayne Givens co-owns the gelding with Niel Gargiulo of Milford, Delaware. It was the pacer’s sixth win of the season and the 26th of his career. The lion’s share of the purse lifted his lifetime earnings to $543,649.

Betsy Ross Elims On Sunday

Sunday’s card features a pair eliminations for the second annual Betsy Ross Mares Pace.

Four Starzz Meliss (Luc Ouellette) ships in from Woodbine to headline the first elimination alongside My Little Dragon (Brian Sears). The second elimination features the likes of Martha Maxine (Andy Miller), Darlins Delight (Yannick Gingras) and Southwind Tempo (Tim Tetrick).

Post time for the Sunday card at Harrah’s Chester is 1:15 p.m.

(Harrah’s Chester)