from Harness Publicists across North America

Sunday’s (May 30) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Harrah’s Chester and Saratoga Gaming and Raceway.

Blatantly Good upsets Auckland Reacter in Chester Open

Chester, PA — Going the tough first-over route, Jeffrey Bamond’s Blatantly Good ($14.60) scored the minor upset over Auckland Reactor in Sunday’s (May 30) $32,000 Open Pace at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack.

World Wide Racing Photos

Blatantly Good was a 1:49.4 winner in the $32.000 Open Pace.

The 6-year-old son of Albert Albert sat third off Auckland Reactor (Yannick Gingras), who was sent to the front to post early fractions of :26.3 and :54.1, with Mystery Chase (George Napolitano) drafting in the pocket after pressing the pace on the first turn.

Moving up the backstretch, Richie Silverman angled Blatantly Good to the outside, moving to within a neck of Auckland Reactor upon reaching three-quarters in 1:21.3, but the New Zealand champion dug in on the far turn, extending his lead back to a length.

However, a persistent Blatantly Good would have the upper hand in the end, re-claiming command from an all-out Auckland Reactor in the last 150 yards, drawing clear for a two length victory in 1:49.4. Western Shore followed the winner’s cover to just take second, with the ground-saving Atochia (third) and the tiring Auckland Reactor (fourth) both narrowly beaten in the place photo.

Blatantly Good gave trainer Mark Kesmodel a double on the day, as he also won the second race with Sparky.

Blatantly Good’s 1:49.4 mile was not the fastest of the day, however, as both Jim’s Guy (George Napolitano) and Trueys Legacy (Daniel Dube) turned in front-running 1:49.3 efforts.

— Harrah’s Chester Publicity Department

Saratoga Gaming and Raceway
Put It In Drive moved his record at Saratoga to three for three on Sunday afternoon as the pacer held off all of his rivals late to hang on for the victory in the matinee’s eighth race, a claiming/conditioned event. Frank Coppola, Jr. was at the controls as the 4-year-old pacer completed his local hat trick for rookie trainer Cory McGivern. Put It In Drive dug in for the wire-to-wire win as the race’s 2-5 favorite. Just a week removed from an open length victory in 1:56.3, Put It In Drive held on Sunday to register the 1:57.4 win. In 12 starts as a trainer in his first season, McGivern has three wins, three seconds and two thirds.