Annieswesterncard became harness racing's newest millionaire thanks to a front-striding 1:50 victory in the $60,000 Open Handicap Pace at Harrah's Chester on Sunday afternoon.
Driven by Yannick Gingras, the Ron Burke trainee worked his way to the top from Post 4 during a sizzling :25.4 opening quarter and was pressed to the :54 half-mile mark by Big Bay Point (George Napolitano Jr.) with last week's Open winner, Vintage Master (Dan Dube), looming in the second over spot.
Annieswesterncard pressed on to three-quarters in 1:22.3 with Big Bay Point beginning to back through the field and Vintage Master tipping three-wide, but nearly three lengths off the lead.
As Annieswesterncard turned for home, Mainland Key N (Corey Callahan) launched his attack from the pocket, but he couldn't catch Annieswesterncard, who made it to the wire in 1:50 flat. Mainland Key N finished one length behind in second with Vintage Master two and a half lengths back in third.
Annieswesterncard has now won sixth races in 26 starts during his five-year-old campaign. The lion's share of the purse pushed his earnings to $151,495 for 2011 and $1,012,706 lifetime.
The Western Hanover-Annie Your A Card gelding was purchased this past summer by the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, the M1 Stable, and The Panhellenic Stable Corp.
The 5-2 favourite paid $7.80 to win.