Although Island Terror was victorious in her third-round division of the Northeast Extension Series Wednesday, December 15 at Chester Racetrack, the odds-on favourites were defeated in the three other divisions of the event for pacing distaffers.
The first division saw a 1-5 Star Keeper (driven by Andy Miller) rate a :58.1 opening half mile before feeling pressure from Fortunes Smile (George Napolitano) on the far turn. Put to a full-on drive at the eighth pole, Star Keeper could not sustain. She was reeled in by Adriana G (David Miller), who kicked cover at head-stretch and ultimately prevailed by three quarters of a length in 1:55. She returned $22.80 on a successful Win wager.
In the second division, Runaway Tray (George Napolitano) sat a cozy pocket trip behind 3-10 favourite Riley Character (Tim Tetrick) and Pretty Wicked (David Miller), who dueled up the backstretch and into the far turn. A :27.3 third quarter softened them both up, and thus Runaway Tray was in prime position to capitalize on the open stretch. She went on to prevail by a half length in 1:52.4 and returned $11.20.
I Lady (Jim Meittinis) was a ground-saving winner in the third division, as she overtook the 3-5 post-time choice, Wicked Intentions (Tim Tetrick), in the final yards of the 1:54.2 mile. She returned $9.20 to Win as the second choice in the betting.
Island Terror was the lone favorite to win her Northeast Extension division. She turned away a late challenge from Summer Hope (Yannick Gingras) and delivering a two-length, pillar-to-post victory with pilot Tim Tetrick in 1:54.1.
While the favorites did not fare so well in the Northeast Extension series, they swept all three third-round splits of the Harrah's Boulevard Series for trotters. Winning Mister ($4.40), Aisling ($3.60) and And Heez Perfect ($3.80) each posed for winner's photos after their respective dashes.
The card's overnight feature saw Red Star Hottie ($3.20) prevail in the $32,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace for driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Ron Burke. The margin of victory was three and a half lengths and the win time was 1:52.3.
The finals of the Road to Riches Late Closing Series, which boast combined purses of $380,000, are scheduled for Monday, December 20; Tuesday, December 21; and Wednesday, December 22. Post time for each day's card is 12:45 p.m. eastern time.
(With files from Chester)