Three $75,000 Colonial 3-year-old trot splits held

The $225,000 Colonial Trot returned to the Delaware Valley after a 19-year absence Sunday, and the biggest star in the winner's circle at Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack Sunday was Gregory Peck of Newtown, Bucks County, who won with Nate K.

Peck's trotter Nate K--a 23-1 longshot--won the quickest division of the 37th Colonial in 1:55, setting a track record for 3-year-old trotters. Driver Ron Pierce used the inside passing lane to overtake Quite Easy in the final 40 yards, urging Nate K from third place to a half-length upset victory.

Peck was a hero for three reasons. He made the decision to buy Nate K from New Jersey trainer Ron Gurfein just 10 days ago, he chose Pierce as the driver, and he prepared the colt in quick time for his first career victory in seven starts.

"Nate K didn't race as a 2 year old," Peck said, "and I don't even know why. Ron Gurfein told me he was moving his stable to Kentucky for the big September races in the Midwest and said this colt was available. I've known Ron for a long time, and he's kind of a mentor for me, so I trust his word. The price for Nate K was too much at the time, but it's looking a little better now."

"I'm kidded about my name all the time," Peck said. "I lived in Princeton for a while, and the movie star's daughter went to school there. So I got some good dinner reservations whenever I called for a table."

The Colonial Trot began in 1968 at Liberty Bell Park in Philadelphia as the first $100,000 horse race in Pennsylvania. It was captured by six Hambletonian winners, including Nevele Price and Mack Lobell. After Liberty Bell closed 19 years ago, the stakes race was moved to three out-of-state locations. Rick Kane, the history-minded racing secretary at Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack, was eager to "bring the Colonial home" to the Delaware Valley this season.

Primary As, trained by Trond Smedshammer and driven by Brian Sears, scored a wire-to-wire triumph as the even-money favorite in Sunday's first division. The time was 1:55.2, surpassed one-fifth second a few minutes later by Nate K. Primary As set strong fractions and had enough stamina to hold off Up Front Harry and Manfinity in the stretch drive.

The third division went to The Liquidator, another 3 year old who had never visited the winner's circle in seven previous starts. Reinsman Dave Miller brought the 8-1 shot from third place to catch the tiring Monkey Bones in the race to the wire. The time was 1:56.3, with Bayside Volo rallying for third place. Three of the seven starters broke stride in that division.

"There are plenty of big races coming up for 3-year-old trotters before the season ends with the Breeders Crown," said trainer Smedshammer. "Some of these Colonial colts may improve and do very well. But to say they might beat (Hambo winner), Donato Hanover, well, I think that would be a stretch."

Jacqueline Ingrassia, longtime driver of successful trotters, finished fourth in the Colonial with Gladhand and said, "He's improving every race, and that's all I look for. This new track is a palace--what's not to like--and I'll be back many times." (Harrah's Chester)

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