The multi-talented Mister Big made his 2009 debut earlier this evening at Harrah’s Chester Racetrack for trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr., who had to be very pleased with the pacer’s second-place effort

in the $35,000 Open Handicap

The six-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear-Worlds Sweetheart got away fifth in the six-horse field while Lucky Bettor and Montecito N went stride for stride to the quarter pole in :27.1. Brian Sears tipped Mister Big off the cones as the field moved in front of the grandstand on the way to the half, and he was third on the rim when Montecito N hit the half in :55.3.

Montecito N maintained the lead at the three-quarter pole in 1:23.1, but Mister Big was drawing closer on the outside. After battling the length of the stretch it was Montecito N who came up a head better than Mister Big in a time of 1:50.1.

Montecito N, a six-year-old son of Armbro Operative-Dinavetto, scored the win for trainer Monte Gelrod and driver Tim Tetrick. Gelrod shares ownership on the gelding with Robert Bongiorno, Peter Heffering and Kevin Reynolds. It was the pacer’s 18th lifetime victory, and the win bumped his bankroll to $282,235.