A harness racing rarity occurred in the first Dexter Cup elimination at Freehold Raceway on Saturday when the eight horses finished in exact post position order.
The race was won by Another Chapter (PP1, Scott Zeron), who skimmed the pylons after sitting pocket behind favoured pacesetter Sir John F (PP3, Yannick Gingras) and powering by late for the 1:57 score. Southwind Cruze (PP2, Andy Miller) finished second after a first-over bid with Sir John F third, followed by Texican (PP4), Explosive (PP5), Eternal Patrol (PP6), Lars Perry (PP7) and Southwind Woody (PP8). Morning line choice Southwind Woody (Joe Bongiorno) was forwardedly situated early but finished eighth after a break in stride at the half-mile point.
Another Chapter (Chapter Seven - Southwind Caitlin) broke his maiden with the $24,000 Dexter Cup elim win for trainer Mark Silva and owners Jeff Snyder of New York, N.Y. and Four Friends Racing Stable LLC of Moorestown, N.J.
The second elim was a more wide-open affair after a number of contenders made costly early miscues, including favoured Ei Ei O (Brian Burton). Muscle High (Tim Tetrick) made the early lead and jumped it off, leaving the position to Lord Cromwell (John Campbell). That sophomore would willingly set all the fractions of :28.3, :57.4 and 1:27 before opening up en route to a 1:56.2 score.
Gustavo Fring (Eric Carlson) gave chase in futility and finished second, followed by Arch Credit (Trond Smedshammer) and Earl Variera (Ake Svanstedt).
Ed Hart, who trained Another Chapter as a two-year-old, conditions Lord Cromwell (Chapter Seven - Oh Oh Its Magic) for breeder-owner Carolyn Atherton of Bronxville, N.Y.
With Southwind Cobra receiving a bye to next week's final, the top three finishers from each elimination advance as well as one fourth-place finisher drawn by lot.