Mister Big, Art Official Headline Franklin

Published: July 22, 2009 11:16 pm EDT

Coming off a 1:49.1 win in his elimination, last year's Ben Franklin runner-up Mister Big has been installed the 7-5 morning line favourite by oddsmaker Matt Rose in this year's $500,000 Ben Franklin final, to be held this Sunday

, July 26 at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack.

Triple millionaire Mister Big, before winning his elimination off a second-over trip, turned in third-place effort in the William Haughton at the Meadowlands, and won the Dan Patch Invitational at Hoosier Park last month in 1:49.2, rallying to beat Winbak Speed and Art Official, both of which are in the Franklin field as well. Brian Sears will, as usual, handle the driving duties of Mister Big for trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr.

Art Official, taking his elimination in pillar-to-post fashion in 1:49.2, has been made the 3-1 morning line second choice. Best known for his remarkable upset of Somebeachsomewhere in last year's Meadowlands Pace, Art Official has notched two wins in five starts on the season, also finishing third in the Dan Patch and fourth in the Haughton. Ron Pierce again gets the call for Joe Seekman.

Below are the field in post position order, with saddle pad number, driver, trainer, and morning line odds:

2, Mister Big, Brian Sears, Virgil Morgan, Jr., 7-5
3, Winbak Speed, Jim Morand, Wayne Givens, 8-1
1, Bettor Sweet, John Campbell, Joe Poliseno, 4-1 (entry)
4, Art Official, Ron Pierce, Joe Seekman, 3-1
1a, Western Shore, Brett Miller, Joe Poliseno, 4-1 (entry)
5, Won the West, David Miller, Ron Burke, 6-1
6, Foiled Again, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke, 6-1
7, Noble Falcon, Tim Tetrick, Kevin McDermott, 10-1

The Ben Franklin is carded as Sunday's tenth race. First post is 1.15 p.m. eastern time.

(Harrah's Chester)

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