Coming in from a successful three-race stint at Pocono Downs, John Darrah, Nick Ruscigno, and Lawrence Keethe's Flirtiscape turned in a powerful pillar-to-post performance in the $32,000 Mares Open Pace on Thursday
afternoon at Harrah's Chester Racetrack.
The six-year-old Artiscape mare wasted no time making the front, clearing immediately as she had done in her past three starts. With no other leavers, and 3/5 favourite Cuz She Can (Tim Tetrick) situated well off the pace, driver George Napolitano, Jr. was at liberty to rate Flirtiscape through deliberate early fractions of :28 and :56.2.
Moving up the backstretch, Flirtiscape was forced to pick up the pace, as Knock Three Times (Yannick Gingras) offered mild first-over pressure, towing Cuz She Can within striking range. Upon reaching the three-quarter split in 1:24, Flirtiscape began to draw away from the field. She powered on to win by more than two lengths in 1:51.3. Cuz She Can kicked off tiring cover to finish a strong second, while Omen Hanover (Jim Pantaleano) was third.
Lou Pena trains Flirtiscape, who surpassed the $300,000 mark in career earnings with her 23rd victory.
(Harrah’s Chester Racetrack)