No fake--a 1:49.2 win

One week after recording the fastest mile ever at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack, Fake Denario N did it again while capturing the $50,000 final of the Town Drunk late-closer series in 1:49.2.

After an early scramble resulted in a :26.3 first quarter, Fake Denario N and driver Ron Pierce made a powerful move to claim the lead from Tarver Hanover just before they reached the half mile in :54.2. From there, Fake Denario N confidently sped by the three-quarters mark in 1:21.3 en route to an eye-popping 1:49.2 mile. Tarver Hanover was second, with Noble Tess third.

“It was no problem,” said Pierce when he was asked about Fake Denario N’s move to clear the lead before the half-mile mark. “I sat in as long as I could. I took him out at the three-eighths and he was powerful. He did it so easy. He’s just a pleasure to drive.”

With his victory, Fake Denario N completed the Town Drunk series sweep for owner Martin Scharf of Lawrence, N.Y., and trainer Josh Green. The 6-year-old gelding previously accounted for the first and second legs of the series on Nov. 19 and Nov. 26, respectively. It was on the latter date that Fake Denario N covered the mile in 1:49.4, a mark that stood exactly one week before the gelding improved upon it Sunday.

Roy Dinges, trainer of Tarver Hanover, was very pleased with his horse’s performance. “Tarver deserves a lot of credit, but take nothing away from Fake Denario N," said Dinges. "I knew ‘Denario’ was the horse to beat.”

Johnny Waite, trainer of Noble Tess, was similarly impressed. “I’m very happy to be third,” said Waite. "He just missed second, but I’m very happy.”

The Town Drunk late-closer series, named after the top-class pacer who frequented Liberty Bell Park and Brandywine in the late 1970s, was the first late-closer series at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack. (Harrah's Chester)

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