Jim King Jr. and Tim Tetrick's Powerful Charger ($22, Montrell Teague) was an upset winner in the $17,500 Open Trot Wednesday at Harrington Raceway in 1:57.2 over a sloppy racetrack.
In the top weekly overnight event for trotters on the circuit, Spunky Jack made the early lead before Awsome Valley went back to the front at the quarter-mile in 29 seconds. The seven-year-old 6-5 favourite Awsome Valley then marched through remaining fractions of :58.2 and 1:27.4 with Hemi Seelster applying heavy pressure. Powerful Charger followed that live cover and surged in deep stretch for a narrow win. Hemi Seelster was second and Awsome Valley finished third.
The win was the 36th lifetime for Powerful Charger, who was a former Harrington Horse of the Meet.
Victor Kirby had three winners on the program. Teague had a driving double.
Meanwhile, once again, the Pick 5 (50-cent based wager, races seven through 11) went unsolved and now has a carryover of $10,023.26 heading into the Thursday program. Track officials have guaranteed a $25,000 pool for Thursday.
(With files from Harrington Raceway)