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

Chester, PA — Sent off at odds of 1-5, Before He Cheats lived up to his expectations, completing a sweep of the Chester Late Closing Series for trotters with a nine length victory in Thursday’s (Dec. 20) $120,000 final at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack, trotting the mile in 1:54.

The 3-year-old Valley Victor gelding settled in fifth early on, allowing Safari Heat (Victor Kirby) and Exotic Destination (George Brennan) to battle past an opening quarter of :27.3. Approaching three-eighths completion, Tim Tetrick tipped first-over with Before He Cheats, steadily advancing throughout the middle half.

“I moved him early because I thought he could do it first-over,” said Tetrick. “With the early speed, I thought he could wear them down pretty handily.”

Continuing first-up in third past a half of :56.3, Before He Cheats continued to gain on leader Exotic Destination up the backstretch, poking a nose in front through the far turn past three-quarters in 1:25.2.

Parked virtually the entire journey, Before He Cheats showed no signs of the overland trip, drawing clear at the top of the stretch and never looking back, putting away the field with considerable ease. B Cor Terry (Cat Manzi) came on for second, with Exotic Destination holding third.

“He’s pretty special; he’s a nice trotter,” added Tetrick. “He’s smart and very competitive.”

Before He Cheats is owned by Samuel Bowie and trained by Dirk Simpson. Unraced at 2, he finished out the 2007 campaign with 21 wins in 28 starts, bankrolling $320,139.

Vacation’s Over ($13.60) and David Miller scored a minor upset in the $60,000 Independence Hall final for trotting mares, holding off a late charge by Speed N The Tunnel (Tony Morgan) for a 1:55.1 victory.

Tim Tetrick finished out the meet with a driving double, giving him a final total of 256 wins for the season. He was the meet’s leading driver in wins, earnings, and Universal Driver Rating. Josh Green led all trainers in wins for the meet with 61, and Carl Cito, Jr. led all trainers based on the Universal Trainer Rating system with a rating of .486.

Racing returns to Harrah’s Chester on Sunday, April 20, 2008.