In the shadow of his second triumph in the George Morton Levy, small-track specialist Foiled Again held off a barrage of late pressure to score a 1:48.4 win in Sunday's $32,000 Open Handicap Pace at Harrah's Chester Racetrack
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The six-year-old son of Dragon Again was pushed by the Lou Peña-trained Keep It Real (George Napolitano) through an excruciating :25.4 first quarter before assuming sole control of the pace, forcing Keep It Real into the pocket. After backing the half down to :54.3, Foiled Again faced more pressure up the backstretch, with the first-over Vintage Master (Tim Tetrick) advancing to within three-quarters of a length of the lead upon three-quarters completion in 1:21.4.
On the far turn, Foiled Again found himself under heavier pressure still, under full-out urging from Yannick Gingras at head-stretch as he was flanked by Vintage Master and Keep It Real, who came roaring back up the open stretch after enjoying a pocket trip. Despite the two-pronged challenge, Foiled Again prevailed by a neck over Keep It Real, with Vintage Master a game third.
Ron Burke trains Foiled Again for the Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, and the JJK Stables LLC.
Additionally, four divisions of the Stallion Series for three-year-old trotting fillies headlined the Sunday card, with Tim Tetrick taking the natural double aboard Photo Charm (S Js Photo - 1:56.3) and Andovermetreasure (Andover Hall - 1:56.2). Perfect Photo gave Andy Miller a stakes win on the afternoon (S Js Photo - 1:57.3), and Yannick Gingras, who notched a grand slam on the day, partnered Agenda Tom Ridge (Tom Ridge - 1:56.4) to victory in the last division.
(Harrah’s Chester)