A star-studded cast took to the track in the Opening Day (April 23) feature at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack, with seven of the finest trotters on the eastern seaboard contesting a purse of $32,000
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Despite Corleone Kosmos—John Campbell’s only drive on the day—setting a comfortable tempo, 2008 Maxie Lee Memorial winner Buck I St Pat ($11.40) was able to capitalize beautifully on a perfect trip, and a little racing luck, too.
The seven-year-old Jailhouse Jesse mare found herself fifth in the early going, and elected to stay in past a slow :57.3 half as Lets Get Serious N (David Miller) started outer flow on the bridge turn.
“I was trying to race her just one quarter, because she seems to race best that way,” commented driver Tim Tetrick. “She’s certainly a closer.”
Angling third-over up the backstretch behind Lolique (John Wagner), Buck I St Pat started to get more involved after Corleone Kosmos was pushed to three-quarters in 1:26 by Lets Get Serious N. In an attempt to respond to pressure at the top of the stretch, Corleone Kosmos made an uncharacteristic break in stride. Meanwhile, Buck I St Pat fanned four-wide and showed an explosive stretch kick, up to win in 1:54.4 by three-quarters of a length from the pocket-sitting Looking Hanover (Yannick Gingras). Lolique was out-finished, but was a strong third.
Tetrick continued: “With Corleone Kosmos on the front with the easy fractions, I was a little concerned we might not catch him. But with good cover from Lolique and even from Lets Get Serious, along with Corleone Kosmos’s mistake, we got a little lucky.”
But it wasn’t all luck, as was proven by a :27.4 last quarter from Buck I St Pat. “The key with her is to pass horses late, and that’s what she did today,” concluded Tetrick. “She’s got a high turn of speed, and she did everything I asked her to do, and more.”
Ron Burke trains Buck I St Pat for the ownership group of Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold, Abraham Basen, and Ron Fuller.
Live racing resumes at Harrah’s Chester on Sunday, April 25, with first post at 12:45 p.m. eastern time.
(Harrah's Chester)