by James Witherite-Rieg, track announcer, Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack

Chester, PA — May June Character ($6.60), who won the Adios and a division of the Battle of the Brandywine earlier in the season, took a division of the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers in wire-to-wire fashion on Thursday, September 13, stopping the timer in 1:51 at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack.

The gelded son of Shady Character found the lead early, clearing from fellow leavers Big Business (Ben Stafford, Jr.) and Tivoli Hanover (David Miller). He cut an opening quarter of :27 before backing the pace down through splits of :55.4 and 1:24. Despite a soft middle half of :57, May June Character was steadily pressured up the backstretch by a first-over Tivoli Hanover.

“He was still pressured, but I was able to rate the middle half. He wasn’t extended,” said Brennan.

Through the final turn and into the stretch, the Ron Burke trainee sprinted home through a final quarter of :27, stopping the timer in a lifetime best 1:51.

“With first and last splits of :27 flat, that’s pretty good,” added Brennan. “I’m looking forward to him in the Jug. He’s never been on a half, but horses tend to get around that track pretty well.”

George Brennan also partnered Rendarosa (1:51.3) and Hot Rod Mindale (1:51) to victory in Sires Stakes action, with three other wins on the program.

Tim Tetrick drove Ruff Me Up (1:51.3) to a Sires Stakes victory, in addition to two other winners on the card.

Racing returns to Harrah’s Chester on Sunday afternoon, September 16, with a first post of 12:45 p.m. (EDT). Racing analyst Shannon DiAntonio will present her weekly handicapping seminar on the deck at 11:45 a.m., and she will be joined by Hall of Fame driver Cat Manzi.