Feel like a nut?

Fresh from a 14 3/4-length score one week ago, 4-year-old gelding Beach Nut Brand displayed an ultra-sharp stretch kick to capture Thursday's $27,750 final of the Richie Prospect late-closer series for trotters at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack.

Sent off the 13-10 second choice, Beach Nut Brand left well from the number two post position for driver Cat Manzi and was content to sit in the pocket behind 3-5 favorite Sir Perseverance and driver Ron Pierce. Sir Perseverance cruised through moderate fractions of :28 and :57.2 and attempted to kick free as the field approached the third and final turn.

It didn’t work. Beach Nut Brand stayed glued to Pierce’s helmet through three-quarters in 1:25.4, tipped out as the field turned for home, and blew by to score by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:53.4. Sir Perseverance was second by the same margin over Earlsact, who closed well to pick up third money.

“He’s a very aggressive horse,” said Manzi when talking about today’s trip. “I was a little concerned that the pace was too slow. But, he was just the better horse today.”

Today’s victory is the third of the year from just nine starts for Beach Nut Brand. His career earnings have now been elevated to over $82,500 for owners Stable 45 of Hauppauge, N.Y., and Scott Kurzrok of Bryn Mawr, Pa. He is trained by Steve Elliott.

“He comes out of a great barn,” Manzi went on to explain. “They did a great job with him. They did all the hard work. My job was easy.”

Also, Manzi notched three driving wins on the day, pushing his meet-leading victory total to 60. That’s five more than Tony Morgan, his nearest competitor for the drivers’ title. George Napolitano Jr., who is gone for the duration of the meet, is third with 53 wins. On the trainers’ side, Carmine Fusco leads with 18 tallies, followed by Ross Claridge (17) and Mike Hall (16). There are two days (Sunday and Monday) left in the 2006 Harrah’s Chester season. (Harrah's Chester)

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