Chester, PA – When the pacers Blake North and Closing Statement met at Harrah’s Philly on Sunday (August 11) Closing Statement was favored and set the pace, but was caught in the stretch by a pocket-sitting Blake North. When the two clashed again in the Wednesday afternoon (Sept 11) $14,500 feature at the southeast Pennsylvania oval, Closing Statement was again favored and again set the pace. He was caught in the lane out of the two-hole by Blake North, this time in 1:50.1.

Blake North left from post six in the field of eight for driver Tim Tetrick, looped his field and posted a quarter in :27.2, while Closing Statement proceeded forward and took the lead passing the half in :55.3 followed by a 1:22.4 three-quarters. In the stretch, the victorious son of Dragon Again finisged strong with a :27.0 final quarter, winning by three-quarters of a length. The win was a teaming of Philly’s leading driver Tetrick and trainer Gilbert Garcia-Owen. Blake North, a winner of $230,394, is owned by Gilbert Garcia-Herrera.

Trainer Marcus Melander unveiled yet another promising young trotter on the card in the Muscle Hill – Hall Of Face freshman filly Hall Of Am S, who won in her debut in 1:56.3 despite post eight for driver Tim Tetrick. She came in off a 1:57.4 qualifier in preparation for her bow, Hall Of Am S showed she has a very bright future with the 7 ¾-length win for owner Courant Inc.