Facing his toughest foe yet in Meirs Hanover, St Elmo Hero ($2.20) capped a perfect 19-for-19 season with a 1:50.1 triumph in the $50,000 final of the Blue Route Late Closing Series, which culminated Monday, December 20
at Chester Racetrack.
After winning his three preliminary legs by a combined 12 lengths, St Elmo Hero (driven by Tim Tetrick) used the same tactics which brought him those victories, as he floated to the front and controlled the pace. The four-year-old Western Hero gelding was stretched out in the mile, but hung on for a neck victory in a lifetime best mile.
The duo of trainer Ron Burke and driver Yannick Gingras struck gold in the $60,000 final of the I-95 Late Closing Series, as Lucky Bettor ($6.60), a six-year-old Bettors Delight gelding, made a three-wide move at head-stretch and won by a widening one and a quarter lengths in 1:51.4.
A trio of Road to Riches Late Closing Series finals are slated for Chester's Tuesday, December 21 card. First post is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. (ET).
(With files from Chester)