by Mike Bozich for Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack

Chester, PA — Black Horse Racing’s superstar pacing mare Katie Said (Brett Miller) is off to a fast start in 2016.

The 5-year-old daughter of Well Said came into the featured event at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Friday afternoon (May 13) in red hot form, winning her first two races of the season vs. Open company at the Meadowlands. She was in for a stern test in this winner’s over $25,000 lifetime event, however, as she commenced her mile from post eight. The field was deep in talent as well. Directly to her inside starting from post seven was last years Bluechip Matchmaker and Milton Stakes winner Venus Delight (Yannick Gingras). The race also included Divine Caroline (2015 Dan Patch award winner), Devil Child (multiple stakes winner as a 3-year-old), and the red-hot Jonsie Jones (Pat Berry), who has won three of her last four races by open lengths.

Katie Said’s prospects looked dim from the start as she took back to last, and had to deal with excess cover for the first three quarters of a mile. Devil Child (George Napolitano Jr) set the tempo, challenged by Ron Burke trainee Aniston Seelster (Tim Tetrick), who was first over from the half. Katie Said was fourth over, and didn’t begin her move until after three-quarters. She briefly followed Divine Caroline (Dave Miller) before fanning four wide as they entered the stretch. She used a :27.3 final quarter in the off going to complete the last-to-first sweep, getting the jump on Jonsie Jones (Pat Berry), who closed sharply up the inside to finish second. Venus Delight, who enjoyed a second-over trip, settled for third.

Katie Said is now a perfect three for three on the season, and is now a 17-time winner out of 45 starts in her career. The Jimmy Takter trainee paid $6.80 to win.