In complete control throughout, Montecito N ($8.40) posted an eye-popping :53.4 final half to hold off an open-stretch charge from Foiled Again in Thursday evening's $35,000 Ripping Russ for open pacers at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack
.
In his lone drive of the evening, Richie Silverman worked his way to the front with the six-year-old Armbro Operative gelding, forcing Foiled Again (Yannick Gingras) to the pocket through a :26.4 first quarter. After rating a tepid second-quarter pace, reaching race's midpoint in :56.2, Montecito N saw a first-over challenge from Toucam Sam (Daniel Dube) up the backstretch. Pressed on to a three-quarter split of 1:23.4, Montecito N held steadfast, digging in through the stretch to hold off Foiled Again for a 1:50.1 victory. Toucam Sam was a fading third.
Trainer Monte Gelrod owns Montecito N in partnership with Robert Bongiorno, Peter Heffering, and Kevin Reynolds. The win was his seventh of the season pushing his bankroll to $218,620.
(With files from Harrah's Chester)