While an off-the-pace attempt yielded runner-up honours to Flirtiscape last week, Bulletproof Enterprises' Cuz She Can ($3.60) brushed to the front and prevailed in compelling fashion in Thursday’s Mares Open Handicap
Pace at Harrah's Chester in 1:50.4.
Floating closer to the pace than last week, Tim Tetrick ducked the five-year-old Cambest mare behind Flirtiscape (George Napolitano) and Omen Hanover (Jim Pantaleano), who drilled a :26.4 first quarter. Coming past the stands, Tetrick urged Cuz She Can to the front, clearing before the bridge turn under noticeable encouragement and reaching race's midpoint in a vigorous :55.1.
Despite needing a good bit of cajoling to make the front, it was smooth sailing the rest of the way for Cuz She Can, who steadily pulled away up the backstretch, clicking off a 1:22.3 three-quarter split while distancing herself from Flirtiscape and the first-over Fox Valley Topaz (David Miller).
Continuing to pull away through the stretch, Cuz She Can amassed a 3-1/2 length margin on the field at race's end, with 41-1 longshot Omen Hanover rallying up the open stretch to gain second from Flirtiscape.
Ron Burke trains Cuz She Can, who notched her second win in three starts this year at Chester.
(Harrah’s Chester Racetrack)