Not even the likes of newcomers Pilgrims Toner and Atochia — who took the lion’s share of the betting action — could hold off Mystery Chase ($32.80) in yesterday afternoon’s $32,000 Open Handicap Pace at Chester Racetrack in Pennsylvania.
The five-year-old son of Real Artist took well off a fast pace, which saw Pilgrims Toner (driven by Yannick Gingras) strung out by Blatantly Good (Richard Silverman) on the first turn, roughly nine lengths of a :26.2 first quarter.
Passing the judge on the first occasion, Pilgrims Toner met immediate pressure from Booze Cruzin (Tony Morgan), and George Napolitano tipped Mystery Chase second-over to move much closer to a pressured :54.4 half mile.
Stalking a nip-and-tuck battle up the backstretch, Mystery Chase continued to inch closer approaching the far turn, pushing three-wide on the far turn and taking over the lead with an eighth to go from a weakening Pilgrims Toner.
With Atochia (Tim Tetrick) tipping off the back of Mystery Chase at head-stretch, the eventual winner was pushed on to find more in the last strides, but responded in earnest to the late pressure, prevailing in 1:50.2. Atochia was a game second, while Blatantly Good rallied up the open stretch to claim third.
Trainer Donnie Russell co-owns Mystery Chase with the Baron Racing Stable.
(With files from Chester)