Chester's stakes box full

Five hundred fifty-nine horses have been nominated to Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack’s six early closing events, track officials announced today. Harrah’s Chester will kick off its 2007 on Monday, July 9, the first day of a 95-day meet that will continue through Thursday, Dec. 20.

“It’s a very impressive grouping,” said Rick Kane, Harrah’s Chester’s racing secretary. “The number of nominees and the quality of those horses made eligible far exceeded our expectations. These races will be strong.”

Forty-three aged pacers are nominated for the $300,000 Ben Franklin, including Total Truth, recently named the nation’s Pacer of the Year and top 3-year-old pacing colt, and Lis Mara, the Older Pacer of the Year. Joining him on the eligible list are several other luminaries, including world-record holder Holborn Hanover, JK CU Later, Artistic Fella and Nuclear Breeze. The Ben Franklin final will be held Sunday, July 22, with eliminations being held a week earlier on Sunday, July 15.

The return of The Battle of Brandywine, for years a staple of the Delaware Valley harness scene, attracted 158 nominees, including Artzina, last year’s champion 2-year-old pacing colt, Breeders Crown winner Charley Barley, and the 2006 divisional money leader, Yankee Skyscaper. “The Battle” will be joined on Sunday, Aug. 19, and will offer a purse of $200,000.

The $200,000 Colonial, the marquee event at old Liberty Bell Park, also returns in 2007, with 122 nominated for that event. The Colonial figures to again attract the nation’s top 3-year-old trotters for its Sunday, Aug. 12 final.

One hundred fifty-one 3-year-old filly pacers were made eligible to the $150,000 Valley Forge (Thursday, July 12), including Isabella Blue Chip, the 2006 Dan Patch Award recipient as last year’s top 2-year-old filly pacer.

The $100,000 Marquis De Lafayette, a free-for-all trot which final will be contested on Thursday, Oct. 25, attracted the names of 49 nominees, including the likes of Sand Vic, the 2006 champion older trotting horse; Passionate Glide, a two-time Dan Patch Award winner; Vivid Photo, the 2005 Hambletonian champion; Peaceful Way, and Mr. Muscleman.

Last year’s champion 3-year-old filly pacer, Darlin’s Delight, heads the list of nominees to the $100,000 Betsy Ross, a free-for-all pace restricted to distaffers. Others on the 36-name list of eligibles include Burning Point and Glowing Report. The Betsy Ross final will take place on Monday, Oct. 22.

“We’re staggered and gratified by the response from the horsemen,” said Mike Tanner, director of racing operations for Harrah’s Chester. “We’re not even a year old yet, and we never expected to be at this level so soon. It’s going to be a great season.” (Harrah's Chester)

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