Records set in Standardbred

Western Graduate cruised to a world-record 1:53.2 victory in the first of two $32,409 Standardbred divisions for 2-year-old filly pacers at the Delaware (Ohio) County Fairgrounds Thursday afternoon. Driven by dave Palone for trainer Mickey Burke, Western Graduate lowered the mark set in June by Luck Of Michelle at Flamboro Downs by one-fifth of a second.

A daughter of Western Hanover, Western Graduate is out of the Ontario Sire Stakes-winning mare Countryview Miss. The win was her seventh in 12 starts. The time equaled her career mark set last week while winning the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Championship final at Pocono Downs.

Western Graduate is owned by Sylvia Burke, Tom Cherichello, George Leon and Lawrence Karr

"All along we thought she was the best filly and she just keeps getting better and better," said Mickey Burke, adding that Western Graduate is now headed to Lexington for Grand Circuit action at The Red Mile.

Isabella Blue Chip and driver David Miller knocked off a 1:53.1 victory in the second $32,409 division, lowering the world mark set in the first split by Western Graduate. A daughter of Bettor's Delight, Isabella Blue Chip is owned by Only Money Inc and trainer George Teague Jr.'s Teague Inc. The win was her fifth in 10 starts. Art's Fantasy was second with Boheman Dancer third.

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