Dragon Island headlines Tetrick grand slam

Dragon Island headlines Tetrick grand slam
from Harrah's Chester publicity department

Despite mustering only one in-the-money finish in the first nine races, Tim Tetrick led all drivers with a natural grand slam on the Mother's Day (May 9) program at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack. He teamed up with trainer Mark Kesmodel for three of his four wins, including the $32,000 Open Pace with Joseph Davino and Patrick O'Brien's Dragon Island.

Dragon Island ($8.20), an eight-year-old Dragon Again gelding, was rated well off the pace in the early proceedings of the featured race, sitting fourth behind Rusty's for Real (Yannick Gingras) and Mystery Chase (George Napolitano) through early fractions of :26.4 and :55.1. Up the backstretch, Dragon Island edged first-over, overtaking a stalled Melvin's Dream (Tony Morgan)--who was dismissed as the 11-5 favorite--before tracking Rusty's for Real into the far turn.

Past the three-quarter split in 1:22.4, Dragon Island turned up the pressure considerably on Rusty's for Real, while Mystery Chase had ample room to edge three-wide out from the pressured leader. At the head of the stretch, Dragon Island put away Rusty's for Real, digging in enough through the final strides to hold off a game Mystery Chase in 1:51.1. Rusty's for Real faded to third.

Tetrick and Kesmodel would partner in the next two races with Fourth Page ($9.40) and Smellthecolornine ($2.80), completing a $62.20 late pick three.