by James Witherite, for Harrah’s Chester

Chester, PA — A star-studded cast took to the track in the Opening Day feature at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack, with seven of the finest trotters on the Eastern Seaboard contesting a purse of $32,000.

World Wide Racing Photos

Buck I St Pat showed mid-season form in winning the opening day feature at Harrah’s Chester with Tim Tetrick in tow

Despite Corleone Kosmos — John Campbell’s only drive on the day — setting a comfortable tempo, the 2008 Maxie Lee Memorial winner Buck I St Pat ($11.40) was able to capitalize beautifully on a perfect trip, and a little racing luck, too.

The 7-year-old Jailhouse Jesse mare found herself fifth in the early going, and elected to stay in past a slow :57.3 half as Lets Get Serious N (David Miller) started outer flow on the Bridge Turn.

“I was trying to race her just one quarter, because she seems to race best that way,” driver Tim Tetrick commented. “She’s certainly a closer.”

Angling third-over up the backstretch behind Lolique (John Wagner), Buck I St Pat started to get more involved after Corleone Kosmos was pushed to three-quarters in 1:26 by Lets Get Serious N. In an attempt to respond to pressure at the top of the stretch, Corleone Kosmos made an uncharacteristic break. Meanwhile, Buck I St Pat fanned four-wide and showed an explosive stretch kick, up to win in 1:54.4 by three-quarter lengths from the pocket-sitting Looking Hanover (Yannick Gingras). Lolique was out-finished but was a strong third.

Tetrick continued: “With Corleone Kosmos on the front with the easy fractions I was a little concerned we might not catch him. But with good cover from Lolique and even from Lets Get Serious N, along with Corleone Kosmos’s mistake, we got a little lucky.”

But it wasn’t all luck, as was proven by a :27.4 last quarter from Buck I St Pat.

“The key with her is to pass horses late, and that’s what she did today. She’s got a high turn of speed, and she did everything I asked her to do, and more,” Tetrick concluded.

Ron Burke trains Buck I St Pat for the ownership group of Taylor, Gold, Basen and Fuller.

Live racing will resume at Harrah’s Chester on Sunday, April 25, with first post at 12:45 p.m., eastern.