Two days removed from making headlines at Pocono Downs for winning eleven races on Friday’s sixteen-race card, George Napolitano, Jr. made his way back into the spotlight on Sunday
thanks to his victory with Anders Bluestone in the $150,000 Maxie Lee Final at Harrah’s Chester Racetrack.
Anders Bluestone, who was sent off at 9-2 in the seven-horse tilt, was in no hurry in the early stages of the mile. Napolitano slid his charge into the five-hole while Looking Hanover and Neighsay Hanover battled to the quarter pole in :27.4 before the latter cleared to the position of command. Neighsay Hanover was still in charge of the tempo at the mid-way point in :57, but Corleone Kosmos was up to apply first over pressure and Anders Bluestone was hot on that veteran’s heels.
Corleone Kosmos, though parked, showed a short lead over Neighsay Hanover at the three-quarter pole in 1:25, but Anders Bluestone and race favourite Buck I St Pat were revving up from second and third over, respectively. Napolitano milked :27.3 closing speed from Anders Bluestone, and that was enough for the five-year-old son of Yankee Glide-Annette Hanover to win by a neck over Buck I St Pat in 1:53.1. Corleone Kosmos was a brave third in the rich event.
It was the seventh win of the season in 17 tries for the Eric Ell student, who is owned by Ken Wood of Denton, MD and William Dittmar, Jr. of Langhorne, PA. The 18-time winner pushed his lifetime earnings to $426,875 with the winning effort.