Suicidal early fractions and a patient stalking trip worked to the benefit of Cuz She Can, who took the first $32,000 Mares Open Pace of the 2010 Harrah's Chester season on Thursday afternoon in 1:51.3
.
The five-year-old Cambest mare sat comfortably off the speed through a :27-second first quarter, and maintained patience as Knock Three Times (Tony Morgan) brushed three-wide to take the lead, pushed on by Lightning Treasure (George Napolitano) and Omen Hanover (Yannick Gingras) to a :54.1 half-mile split.
Up the backstretch, Cuz She Can commenced a first-over rally, closing in on the pacesetters before taking over on the far turn. Despite minimal encouragement from Tim Tetrick, Cuz She Can widened her lead to more than six lengths at the end of the mile. She soundly beat runner-up Omen Hanover, with Kellytuck Sophie (Jonathan Roberts) finishing a ground-saving third.
Sent off as the 7/5 favourite, Cuz She Can improved her 2010 record to 3-2-0 in seven trips postward for trainer Ron Burke. The 17-time winner, who is owned by Bulletproof Enterprises of Boca Raton, FL, has banked more than $465,000 to date.
(Harrah’s Chester Racetrack)