With Real Joke making his second start off a layoff and finishing a narrow second to Annieswesterncard in last week's $32,000 Open Pace at Chester Racetrack, he was thought by most the horse to beat, dismissed at 9-5 favouritism. However, he couldn't wear down John Cancelliere's Western Shore ($25.60), who prevailed in a pillar-to-post performance in the Sunday, July 25 Open Handicap Pace.
Driver David Miller sent the seven-year-old son of Western Hanover right to the front, clearing Lisagain (driven by Andy Miller) and Annieswesterncard (Ron Pierce) en route to a :26.2 first quarter.
Passing the winning post on the first occasion, Western Shore faced pressure in the form of the first-over Real Joke (George Napolitano), who endured middle fractions of :53.4 and 1:21.2 over sloppy going.
After Real Joke flattened moving into the far turn, Western Shore gained a bit of breathing room on Lisagain, but had to brace for the late challenge of Annieswesterncard at the head of the stretch.
All-out in the final yards, Western Shore prevailed by one and three-quarter lengths over Annieswesterncard in 1:49.4, with Atochia (Yannick Gingras) finishing an off-the-pace third.
(Chester)