A field of seven Open pacers lined up behind the starter in the featured $35,000 event at Harrah's Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon.
The wagering public placed their support behind 19-time winner Speed Again, despite a sixth-place finish last time out against similar competition.
Speed Again (Matt Kakaley) wasted little time getting in gear, as he used his gate speed to take command by the quarter in :27. After a half in :54.4 (:27.4), Speed Again faced a minor first-over challenge from Sparky Mark (Marcus Miller), but was able to sprint clear at three-quarters, which went in 1:22 (:27.1). At the top of the stretch, Dial Or Nodial (David Miller) swung wide off cover and Wake Up Peter (Brett Miller) closed fast up the inside, but there was no catching Speed Again. He won by two lengths in the end, stopping the clock in 1:50.4, while paying $5.20. He keyed an exacta that paid $30, and a trifecta that paid $142.40.
Speed Again is owned by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, and the Rtc Stables, and is trained by Ron Burke.
In other news, driver Tim Tetrick had five wins on the afternoon, three of which were for trainer Scott Di Domenico.
(Harrah's Philadelphia)