Chester, PA — Aetos Kronos S took the lead from early pacesetter Sir Pinocchio just past the opening quarter then later fended off that pocket-sitting rival in the stretch to win Sunday’s (May 25) $100,000 Grade 3 Maxie Lee Memorial Invitational, for older trotters, by three-quarters of a length in 1:51 at Harrah’s Philadelphia. Antognoni S finished third.
Sir Pinocchio was the quickest off the gate, but Aetos Kronos S and driver Dexter Dunn were already on the move after getting away third. Sir Pinocchio reached the quarter in :27.2, but Aetos Kronos S controlled the fractions from there, hitting the half in :55.2 and three-quarters in 1:22.4 while bracing for a first-over bid from Antognoni S.
Aetos Kronos S kept Antognoni S at bay on the final turn, then did the same to Sir Pinocchio down the lane to win for the third time in four races since arriving in the U.S. from overseas. It was his first victory in his first try on the Grand Circuit and pushed his seasonal earnings to $76,575.
For his career, Aetos Kronos S has won 22 of 66 races and earned $1.45 million. A 9-year-old son of Bold Eagle-Will Of A Woman, the stallion is trained by Marcus Melander for owners Jeffrey and Michael Snyder. He was bred by Allevamento Kronos Srl.
“He’s been great every start, and I think he’s just getting better and better,” Melander said. “It’s been a while since he’s raced every 14 days or every three weeks. I think he’s just getting sharper and sharper every week and he’s in really good form right now. It’s very impressive to being doing what he’s doing at 9 years old.
“Obviously he’s been a great horse his entire career. But getting older, and being away for a little bit with some issues, it’s fun to see him do so good. He enjoys it so much.”
Sent off as the 3-5 favorite, Aetos Kronos S paid $3.40 to win.
Earlier in the day, Chapercraz and driver David Miller went to the front at the start and never looked back to win the $25,000 Open Trot by 1-3/4 lengths over Resolve To Win in 1:51.4 for trainer Ron Burke. Hasty Bid finished third. Chapercraz, the 3-5 favorite, is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Phil Collura. The 5-year-old son of Crazy Wow-Chaperess was bred by Purple Haze Stables.