Lolique wins Chester Open Trot

In his customary come-from-behind fashion, Pamela Wagner and Scott Woogen's Lolique ($8.60) prevailed in Friday afternoon's $32,000 Open Trot at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack, closing three-wide into tiring pacesetters for a 1:54.1 score.

 

When the gate folded, 7-5 favorite Big Boy Lloyd (George Napolitano) and Speed Bomb (Yannick Gingras) were fastest away, lining up one-two around the first turn and reaching the quarter in :28. Upon seizing clear command of the lead, Big Boy Lloyd was hard pressed to find any sort of a breather, as Y F Little Guy (Tim Tetrick) was up to force the hand of the leader through middle fractions of :56.2 and 1:24.3.

 

Sitting second-over on the backstretch, trainer-driver John Wagner pointed Lolique three-wide into the far turn off the ensuing battle. Although Y F Little guy broke stride at the top of the stretch, Lolique met stiff resistance from Big Boy Lloyd and an eager Speed Bomb poised to close up the open stretch.

 

Lolique, a 7-year-old Tagliabue gelding, prevailed despite the tougher journey, out-sprinting Speed Bomb, while Big Boy Lloyd held gamely for third. (Harrah's Chester)