Mister Big favored in Ben Franklin final

Off a 1:49.1 win in his elimination, last year's Ben Franklin runner-up Mister Big has been installed the 7-5 morning line favorite by oddsmaker Matt Rose in this year's $500,000 Ben Franklin final, to be held this Sunday at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack.

 

Triple millionaire Mister Big, before winning his elimination off a second-over trip, turned in third-place effort in the William Haughton at the Meadowlands, and won the Dan Patch Invitational at Hoosier Park last month in 1:49.2, rallying to beat Winbak Speed and Art Official, both of which are in the Franklin field as well. Brian Sears will, as usual, handle the driving duties of Mister Big for trainer Virgil Morgan Jr.

 

Art Official, taking his elimination in pillar-to-post fashion in 1:49.2, has been made the 3-1 morning line second choice. Best known for his remarkable upset of Somebeachsomewhere in last year's Meadowlands Pace, Art Official has notched two wins in five starts on the season, also finishing third in the Dan Patch and fourth in the Haughton. Rpm Pierce again gets the call for Joe Seekman.

 

Here is the field for the Ben Franklin final:

 

PP HN Horse (driver) morning line

1 2 Mister Big (Brian Sears) 7-5

2 3 Winbak Speed (Jim Morand) 8-1

3 1 Bettor Sweet (John Campbell) 4-1

4 4 Art Official (Ron Pierce) 3-1

5 1A Western Shore (Brett Miller) 4-1

6 5 Won The West (David Miller) 6-1

7 6 Foiled Again (Yannick Gingras) 6-1

8 7 Noble Falcon (Tim Tetrick) 10-1

 

The Ben Franklin is carded as Sunday's 10th race. First post is 1:15 p.m. (Harrah's Chester)