Mystery Chase repeats in Chester Open

Mystery Chase repeats in Chester Open
from Harrah's Chester publicity department

Much in the same fashion as his win last week, the Baron Racing Stable and Donnie Russell's Mystery Chase ($10.60) kicked cover coming off the far turn and powered away to victory, taking the $32,000 Open Handicap Pace on Sunday (May 23) afternoon at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack in a sensational 1:49.4.

Settling in midfield on the first turn, well behind the pace-setting Atochia (Yannick Gingras), the five-year-old Real Artist entire was hardly subject to punishing early fractions of :26.0 and :53.4. Drafting with Chester newcomer Alexie Mattosie (Corey Callahan) into a stiff headwind up the backstretch, Mystery Chase was carried to within two lengths of the lead from second-over before angling three-wide on the far turn. Past three-quarters in 1:21.3, George Napolitano fanned Mystery Chase off cover, and the response was instant. Mystery Chase pulled away past the eighth pole, taking the lead and widening the winning margin to 2-1/2 lengths from a hard-closing and five-wide One More Yankee (Tony Morgan). Arctic Warrior (Richie Silverman) rallied for show honours.

Earlier in the card, Gary and Barbara Iles's Barber Pole ($4.20) turned in an identical 1:49.4 effort, pulling clear by four lengths under Ron Pierce from Tough Love in a $23,000 top level conditioned pace. Darius Oshidar's Trueys Legacy ($5.00) also was razor-sharp, prevailing in pillar-to-post fashion in a 1:50.0 mile, sprinting home in :26.4 in rein to Daniel Dube.