Forcing a vicious first quarter and subsequently stalking a fervent battle up the backstretch, John Cancelliere's Western Shore took complete advantage of a pocket trip to
score a 1:49.4 victory in Sunday afternoon's $32,000 Open Pace at Harrah's Chester Racetrack.
Despite racing against him many times in the past, a late driver change to Brian Sears only marked his first occasion behind the seven-year-old son of Western Hanover.
"Today was my first time driving him; and although he can be a little bit of a bad actor, he’s got a lot of talent," commented Sears.
Western Shore and Booze Cruzin (David Miller) left together from the center of the track, and Western Shore pestered Booze Cruzin well into the first turn before ducking into the pocket after a punishing :25.4 first quarter. While Booze Cruzin was able to back the half down to :55.2, it ended up being counterproductive as Mystery Chase (George Napolitano) set sail first-over moving onto the backstretch. With these two relentlessly exchanging blows up the backstretch and even-money favourite Blatantly Good (Richard Silverman) waiting in the wings from second-over, Sears had some concern about his chances.
"With Mystery Chase coming after Booze Cruzin on the backstretch, I was a little worried I wouldn’t be able to get out at the top of the stretch."
Past three-quarters in an astounding 1:21.4, Western Shore was in tight quarters on the far turn. Aided by a tiring Mystery Chase, Brian Sears was able to move his charge to the open stretch and quickly take over from a collapsing pace, sprinting home in :27.2 to pull away by just over three lengths. Blatantly Good kicked off tiring cover to take second, while Booze Cruzin faded to third.
(Harrah’s Chester Racetrack)