by Matt Sparacino, publicity director, Harrington Raceway

HARRINGTON, Del. – The draw for the $135,000 First State Free-for-All was held Wednesday at Harrington Raceway. The second annual event, formerly called the War on the Shore, will feature one of the richest fields in track history, as the eight horse feature boasts a combined lifetime bankroll of nearly $4 million. Last year’s event was won by Royal Mattjesty in a track record of 1:51.1.

Harrington Raceway photo.

Royal Mattjesty (Stephane Bouchard) won last year’s event in 1:51.1, the fastest mile ever at Harrington Raceway.

James Jesk’s Fox Valley Gallant (3-1, Eric Ledford) was installed as the morning line favorite, fresh off a whopping 1:48.3 win at Woodbine Racetrack on June 11. Locally-owned Arizona Liar (9/2, Mike Cole) drew the rail for owners Rojan Stables and Doc and Me Inc., after a 1:51.2 win at Harrington last week, which equaled the national season’s mark co-held by Maltese Artist, set in the Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park.

M&M Frank, Ted Gewertz and Joe Holloway’s Driven to Win (7/2, Mike LaChance) will start from post six after a 1:51.4 victory at Pocono Downs in his last start. Completing the field will be Daniel and Thomas Courtemanche’s Bobnoxious (8-1, Tim Curtin), a winner of nearly $200,000 already this year, Sam Jacobs and Charlie Burris’ Cambest Prince (5-1, Greg Grismore), Sylvia Burke, John Howard and James Koran’s Cam’s Fast Gun (10-1, Ron Pierce), Ian Fromowitz and John Fielding’s Molson Canadian Pace runner-up Buckeye One (8-1, Brad Hanners) and Richard Annunziatta’s Santastic’s Pan (12-1, Stephane Bouchard).

All eight starters will be profiled in a press release on Thursday June 21.

Here’s a look at the draw in order by post position:

1 – Arizona Liar (9/2, Mike Cole)
2 – Bobnoxious (8-1, Tim Curtin)
3 – Cambest Prince (5/1, Greg Grismore)
4 – Fox Valley Gallant (3/1, Eric Ledford)
5 – Cam ‘s Fast Gun (10-1, Ron Pierce)
6 – Driven To Win (7/2, Mike LaChance)
7 – Buckeye One (8/1, Brad Hanners)
8 – Santastics Pan (10/1, Stephane Bouchard)