Buck I St Pat a two-time Maxie Lee winner
from Harrah's Chester publicity department
No description for Buck I St Pat ($3.00) could be more apt than "a
mare for the ages", as racecaller James Witherite exclaimed as the
world champion mare drew off willingly to beat the boys in the
$100,000 Maxie Lee Memorial Trot on Sunday (August 29) afternoon at
Harrah's Chester.
The seven-year-old Jailhouse Jesse mare saw a change of tactics,
lacking clear racing room for much of the mile. Floating near the
front from midfield, Buck I St Pat secured the pocket on the first
turn, drafting behind Southern Rocketop (Andy Miller) as Lanson
(Michel Lachance) made an early break. "I was watching everyone else
and I could see the outside horses trying to get forwardly placed, and
I didn't want to end up too far back," said winning driver Tim
Tetrick. "I saw Yannick (Looking Hanover) and Danny (In Focus)
leaving, and I didn't want to get away at the back, so I had to leave
with her. It just worked out that I ended up in the pocket, and I
took my shot from there."
Sitting close to a :26.4 quarter and a :55.4 half, Tetrick had a bit
of concern about his positioning, now locked in by the first-over
Farifant (Ita) (Andy McCarthy). "The only thing I was worried about
was if Andy's horse (Southern Rocketop) could take me to the top of
the stretch after the fast first half. Farifant started drifting out,
I was able to get to the outside, and the rest is history."
After battling Southern Rocketop to three-quarters in 1:23.3, Farifant
(Ita) began to fade and drift wide, which enabled Buck I St Pat to
split rivals, taking over at the head of the stretch. She powered
away by 4-3/4 lengths to equal her stake record of 1:52.2, also
equaling her track record for older distaff trotters. Looking Hanover
(Yannick Gingras) rallied for second, with Big Boy Lloyd (George
Napolitano) staying on for third.
"She's a sweetheart; she lets me do whatever I want in the race,"
Tetrick concluded.
Ron Burke trains Buck I St Pat for Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold, Abraham
Basen, and Ron Fuller. The $50,000 winner's share pushes her career
earnings to $1,813,677.
