Buck I St. Pat best in Chester feature

April 24, 2008

Driver Tim Tetrick swung Buck I St. Pat three wide heading into the final turn around a parked-and-tiring Vivid Photo and then gamely went past the leading American Lane to win the featured $40,000 Open Trot at Harrah�s Chester Thursday afternoon. The 1:54.4 victory was the third straight and fifth in seven starts this year for the 5-year-old daughter of Jailhouse Jesse whose connections recently turned down an invitation for her to start in the prestigious Elitlopp in Sweden in late May.

Tetrick dropped in third with Buck I. St. Pat after leaving from post seven, as favored American Lane and driver Cat Manzi took the lead ahead of the Daniel Dube-driven Railee Possible. Roger Hammer left from post eight with Vivid Photo but then the reigning Older Trotter of the Year and 2005 Hambletonian champ did something he�d done only three times previously over his career and not since December 2005: He made a break.

As American Lane headed to the opening quarter station in :29.2, trainer-driver Roger Hammer quickly gathered Vivid Photo together but he was caught first-over and nowhere to go. Racing with Vivid Photo on his flank on the outside, American Lane reached the half in :58.2, with Tetrick waiting patiently along the pylons in fourth. As the field heading toward the three-quarters�reached in 1:27.2, Tetrick quickly moved his charge out and then wide around Vivid Photo.

The second choice in the betting, Buck I St. Pat was too much for American Lane as he drew clear down the stretch to win by a length. Railee Possible held his ground for third, while Vivid Photo had to settle for a well-beaten sixth.

Trained by 2006 Trainer of the Year Mickey Burke, Buck I St. Pat�s ownership group of Howard Taylor, Ed Gold, Abe Basen and Dr. Ron Fuller had been extended an invitation to ship their trotting mare overseas for the May 25 Elitlopp at Solvalla Racetrack. The offer was graciously turned down, with Taylor writing in part in an email discussion exchange, �The decision was based on our belief that she is the best in the U.S., and had too much to go for here without risking subjecting her to the rigors of travel��

The win, off a victory in the opening round of the Classic Series at Dover Downs April 7, was Buck I St. Pat�s 26^th in 49 career starts, increasing her lifetime earnings to $717,113.

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