No description for Buck I St Pat ($3.00) could be more apt than "a mare for the ages," as racecaller James Witherite exclaimed as the world champion mare drew off willingly to beat the boys in the $100,000 Maxie Lee Memorial
Trot on Sunday afternoon at Harrah's Chester.
The seven-year-old Jailhouse Jesse mare saw a change of tactics, lacking clear racing room for much of the mile. Floating near the front from midfield, Buck I St Pat secured the pocket on the first turn, drafting behind Southern Rocketop (Andy Miller) as Lanson (Michel Lachance) made an early break.
"I was watching everyone else and I could see the outside horses trying to get forwardly placed, and I didn't want to end up too far back," said winning driver Tim Tetrick. "I saw Yannick [Looking Hanover] and Danny [In Focus] leaving, and I didn't want to get away at the back, so I had to leave with her. It just worked out that I ended up in the pocket, and I took my shot from there."
Sitting close to a :26.4 quarter and a :55.4 half, Tetrick had a bit of concern about his positioning, now locked in by the first-over Farifant (Ita) (Andy McCarthy).
"The only thing I was worried about was if Andy's horse [Southern Rocketop] could take me to the top of the stretch after the fast first half. Farifant started drifting out, I was able to get to the outside, and the rest is history."
After battling Southern Rocketop to three-quarters in 1:23.3, Farifant (Ita) began to fade and drift wide, which enabled Buck I St Pat to split rivals, taking over at the head of the stretch. She powered away by 4-3/4 lengths to equal her stake record of 1:52.2, also equaling her track record for older distaff trotters. Looking Hanover (Yannick Gingras) rallied for second, with Big Boy Lloyd (George Napolitano) staying on for third.
"She's a sweetheart; she lets me do whatever I want in the race," Tetrick concluded.
Ron Burke trains Buck I St Pat for Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold, Abraham Basen, and Ron Fuller. The $50,000 winner's share pushes her career earnings to $1,841,855.
(Harrah's Chester)