Another strong performance by Best In Show

CHESTER, Pa. — On the heels of a seasonal best 1:50.1 score last week, Richard and Joanne Young’s Best In Show ($11.40) swept from last for a 1:49.4 win in one of Sunday’s (July 4) co-featured $13,000 paces at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

The 5-year-old Bettor’s Delight entire sat patiently off the pace while 8-5 favorite Fortify set stern middle fractions of :54 and 1:21.1. But the pace took its toll, and Best In Show vaulted off the live three-wide cover of runner-up Seriously Hanover to win by a widening 2-1/2 lengths. Fortify was a beaten third.

BEST IN SHOW REPLAY

Pat Berry drove Best In Show, who has earned $632,247 in his career, to his eighth career win for trainer Linda Toscano.

Joe Bongiorno, who led all drivers with three wins on the 13-race program, took two of the other co-featured events, teaming up with Ron Burke trainee Save Me A Dance ($2.10, 1:50.3) and Jenn Bongiorno trainee Vettel N ($3.40, 1:50.2).

In the afternoon’s top distaff pace, Crazy Cute ($12.80) rode the pocket through the first seven-eighths of the mile, wore down 9-5 pacesetter Eclipse Me N off the home turn, and evaded Caviart Cherie by 1-1/2 lengths to win in 1:52. George Napolitano Jr. drove the 5-year-old daughter of Art Major for trainer Gilbert Garcia-Owen and the partnership of Gilbert Garcia-Herrera and Barbara Arnstine.

Racing returns to Harrah’s Philadelphia with a 14-race card on Wednesday (July 7); first post is 12:25 p.m. Eastern.

For full race results, click here.

by James Witherite, for Harrah’s Philadelphia