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

Chester, PA — One year ago, Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack opened its doors to the return of harness racing to the Delaware Valley. In Monday’s (September 10) one-year anniversary program, two divisions of the Pocahontas Late Closing series for 2-year-old pacing fillies were contested, with Saymynamesaymyname and Real Nasty Miss taking their respective divisions.

Saymynamesaymyname ($6.40) and Brian Sears took the first $10,000 division in wire-to-wire fashion, pulling the minor upset over 4-5 favorite Artexpress (Steve Smith). The Roland Mallar-trained daughter of Allamerican Native found the lead early on, cutting fractions of :28.1, :58.1, and 1:27.2 with Artexpress taking a pocket trip. At the head of the stretch, Smith pulled the pocket with the Tim Lancaster trainee, but Saymynamesaymyname was just too much, holding on by a half-length to win in 1:55.4. Artexpress was good enough for second, with 108-1 shot Newyorkjoyants (Steve Reisenweaver) earning show honors.

The second $10,000 division saw Mallar and Sears team up again, with Real Nasty Miss ($2.20) tripping the timer in 1:54.3. Friendship Dance and Kevin Sizer went right to the front early on, leading by open lengths through splits of :27.1, :56.1, and 1:24.1. Shortly after the three-quarters, Friendship Dance made a costly break, enabling Real Nasty Miss to inherit a four length lead over Latakia (Eric Goodell). The daughter of Real Artist held the four length margin through the stretch, with Latakia staying an even second. Ms Mae West (Cat Manzi) was a distant third.

In the $30,000 Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares, Stonebridge Kisses (Eric Goodell) made a three-wide bid from the back of the field through the far turn to nail Dangerous Years (Daniel Dube) at the line in a 1:50.3 mile.

Live racing returns to Harrah’s Chester on Wednesday, September 12, with the action kicking off at 12:45 p.m. (EDT).