Early North America Cup favourite Well Said made his sophomore debut a winning one
in the 10th race, an $11,000 conditioned event, on Wednesday at Harrah’s Chester.
With regular pilot Ron Pierce at the lines for trainer Steve Elliott, the son of Western Hanover worked his way to the lead from Post 5 through a :28.1 first quarter put up by longshot Jolly Lester (Eric Goodell). Once the 1-9 favourite reached the front there was no looking back. Well Said carved out the remaining panels of :56.4 and 1:25 en route to victory in 1:53.1.
Jolly Lester finished one and a half lengths back in second and Douglas Road (George Napolitano, Jr.) rounded out the top three.
Last year’s Breeders Crown winner put together a record reading 4-4-1 in 12 starts in 2009 earning over $601,000 for owners Jeffrey Snyder of New York, New York and Lothlorien of Cheltenham, Ont.
Well Said is rated as the 6-1 favourite in Trot Magazine’s 2009 North America Cup Spring Book.