After withstanding pressure from Lightning Dragon through a shell-shocking :25.4 first quarter, Vicki Fair and Roger Hammer's Makerbark became the fastest
four-year-old pacing mare on a five-eighths mile track, drubbing the field by 10-1/4 lengths in a 1:49.2 mile on Monday (November 9) evening at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack.
Under regular driver Yannick Gingras, the four-year-old daughter of Dragon Again was insistent on making the early lead, forcing Lightning Dragon (Jonathan Roberts) to sit the pocket after the two reached the quarter together in :25.4. After equally excruciating splits of :54.1 and 1:21.2, Makerbark ($2.80) still had enough in reserve to pull away from an understandably-fatigued Lightning Dragon, eventually widening her lead to the 10-1/4-length margin of victory. My Lady Bonnard (David Miller) rallied for second, while Lightning Dragon held third.
Monday night's card of harness racing also saw $30,000 claimer Wildridge Sam ($4.40) take a 1:49.3 mark with George Napolitano, Jr. in tow, and Lolique ($4.00) earned his fourth straight win in the featured $40,000 Open Handicap Trot, partnered with Tim Tetrick for a 1:52.4 victory -- one tick off Railee Possible's track record of 1:52.3 for older trotting geldings.
(Harrah's Chester)