Blatantly Good just that in Chester Open

Blatantly Good just that in Chester Open
from Harrah's Chester publicity department

Dispatched the prohibitive 3-5 favorite, Jeffrey Bamond's Blatantly
Good ($3.40) made his local 2010 debut a winning one, holding off a
throng of late challengers to win Sunday's (April 25) featured $32,000
Open Pace in 1:52 at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack.

"He really does race some of his best races from behind, but I knew
that Timmy [Tetrick] was going to leave with Hypnotic Blue Chip and
that would have put me around eighth, so we had to take a shot,"
remarked driver Richie Silverman about his strategy aboard the
six-year-old son of Albert Albert. Floating to midpack and parked
through the entire first turn by a pocket-sitting Mystery Chase
(George Napolitano, Jr.), Silverman worked Blatantly Good slowly to
the front past a :27.1 opening quarter posted by Chester newcomer
Booze Cruzin (David Miller).

Clearing past the stands on the first occasion, Blatantly Good kept
the pace lively through a :55 half-mile before facing the wind up the
backstretch--and a major challenger. Hypnotic Blue Chip moved
first-over up the backstretch, offering mild pressure to Blatantly
Good past three-quarters in 1:23.2, then ratcheting up the heat on the
far turn.

Despite the presence of Hypnotic Blue Chip, Silverman's confidence in
the Mark Kesmodel trainee remained unwavering. "My horse always gives
his race, and I thought he'd just pace away at the top of the stretch.
I asked him a little bit, but he always does what he has to do."
Blatantly Good turned away Hypnotic Blue Chip and also held off the
pocket-sitting Booze Cruzin and Mystery Chase, prevailing by a length
in 1:52.

Blatantly Good gave owner Jeffrey Bamond and driver Richie Silverman
on the day, and it was part of a training grand slam for Mark
Kesmodel. Live racing resumes at Harrah's Chester on Wednesday, April
28, with first post at 12:45 p.m. eastern time.