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

Chester, PA — Prohibitive 1-5 favorite Lear Jetta cleared for the lead just past the half and never looked back in a track record performance on Wednesday (September 12) at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack.

World Wide Racing Photos

The timer shows Lear Jetta’s track record clocking on Wednesday.

The 2-year-old son of Lindy Lane held a two length margin over Manhattan (George Brennan) through the stretch to trot the mile in 1:57.1 in the second of three divisions of Pennsylvania Sires Stakes action.

Manhattan left from the extreme outside, insistent on the lead from the outset. He cleared to the front over Cleve Hanover (Tony Schadel) at a quarter of :29.1. Passing the stands for the first time, Tim Tetrick pulled from third with Lear Jetta, and was first-over going to a half of :59.1.

“I was going to sit as long as I could, but they started pulling behind me. I eased him out and let him trot to the front,” said Tetrick of the Robert Myers trainee.

Lear Jetta led by an extended length past three-quarters of 1:27.4, then cleared by two at the head of the lane. Manhattan gave a solid effort, but could get no closer. Awesome Wonder (Jack Parker, Jr.) passed tiring rivals to be third.

“He trotted a good back half,” added Tetrick. “He’s real handy, he’s a nice colt.”

In the third division, Lucky Jim ($22.80) and Dick Stillings pulled the upset over 3-10 choice Production (Eric Goodell), grinding out a first-over trip to nail his adversary at the line in 1:57.3.

Skad’s Winner ($33.60) took the first division from off the pace, closing for George Brennan in 1:59.2.

In addition to Pennsylvania Sires Stakes races being held, Nasty Nancy ($4.20) swept the Maxie Lee Memorial Late Closing Series for trotting fillies and mares, stopping the timer in 1:58 to cap a wire-to-wire performance.

The Tom Lail-trained daughter of Lindy Lane cleared for the lead just past a :28.2 quarter for Eric Goodell, and never looked back through splits of :59.1 and 1:28.4. At the head of the stretch, Nasty Nancy opened up by two, and was too strong a challenge for Mia Stellina (Tim Tetrick) and Pilgrims Kassie (Cat Manzi), who finished second and third, respectively.

Live racing returns to Harrah’s Chester on Thursday afternoon, September 13, with the first of 13 races sent postward at 12:45 p.m. (EDT).