It was billed as "Pennsylvania harness racing's richest day", and by all measures, it lived up to expectations.
"Super Stakes Sunday" a 13-race slate at Chester Downs, presented races worth more than $2.3 million on Sunday, and accordingly, attracted some of the finest talent in harness racing today.
The card was topped by three prestigious Grand Circuit stakes – the $500,000 Colonial Trot, the $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine Pace and the $350,000 Valley Forge Pace.
In the Valley Forge, for three-year-old fillies, Tug River Princess, behind the handling of Hall-of-Famer John Campbell, took command entering the final turn and coasted to a new track record of 1:50.2.
Tug River Princess - Valley Forge
The daughter of Badlands Hanover, who is owned by Let It Ride Stables, Robert Cooper Stables and Jerry Silva, raced first over from the midway point of the mile after Stylish Artist (Brian Sears) led the field through an opening panel of 26.1 and a half mile split of 55.4.
Tug River Princess accelerated to clear the lead from Stylish Artist just before the three-quarter mile mark which was timed in 1:22.4.
Around the final turn and through the stretch, Tug River Princess held sway to register a three and one-quarter length victory in a final time of 1:50.2, which eclipsed the track record of 1:50.3 formerly held by Southwind Tempo.
Good News Lady (Greg Grismore), who had been prominent throughout, finished second, one and three-quarters lengths in front of the third place finisher, Artimittateslife (Stephane Bouchard).
"One of her best races – the DSBF final – was one she raced first over in, so going first up wasn't an issue, said driver John Campbell. "Once she cleared the lead, I knew she would be hard to beat."
In the $500,000 Colonial, the marquee event for three-year-old trotters at Chester Downs,
the odds-on favourite Crazed rallied on the far turn and drew clear through the stretch to record an easy victory.
With leading driver Tim Tetrick in the sulky, Crazed settled into third after the start and remained there as In Focus (Dave Palone) set fractions of 27.2, 56.3 for the opening half mile.
Just before the halfway mark, Napoleon (Stephane Bouchard), who had been racing in the pocket, went off stride, with Crazed moving up to take the spot behind the leader.
Tetrick patiently kept Crazed in second passing the three-quarter mile mark in 1:24.2, then moved the son of Credit Winner to the outside leaving the final turn and steadily left the field in the dust en route to a five and one-quarter length tally in 1:53.2.
Crazed - Colonial Trot
Celebrity Secret (Brian Sears) rallied to take the place spot with a late arriving Holiday Credit (Ron Pierce) salvaging the show spot.
"He has been getting smarter and more aggressive as he goes along," said driver Tim Tetrick. "He gave a big effort a couple of weeks ago in the Hambo – he keeps getting better."
Crazed, who is trained by Frank Antonacci and owned by Lindy Racing Stable, Gary and Ellen Hoffman, and Robert Rudolph, was sent off as the 1-2 favourite.
The $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine, for three-year-old pacers, was taken by John Celii and Teague Inc.'s Badlands Nitro in 1:50.2 with Brian Sears in the bike.
The son of Badlands Hanover, who is trained by George Teague, Jr., worked out a second-over cover trip and made a three wide move leaving the final turn to score a two length tally.
Badlands Nitro - Battle of Brandywine
A fast-closing Mystery Chase (Dave Palone) took second with the early pacesetter, Dali (Ron Pierce), holding on for the show spot.
"I couldn't be more pleased," said driver Brian Sears. "The way this horse has bounced back after the Meadowlands Pace is remarkable. He had some issues with sickness and soreness, but I have to give George (Teague, Jr.) a world of credit for overcoming them all."
(Chester Downs)