by Mike Tanner, for Harrah’s Chester

Chester PA — Veteran driver Tony Morgan won two races and was second in two others as he topped seven other drivers to capture the inaugural Harrah’s Chester Drivers Challenge on Sunday afternoon, November 18. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association, the challenge spanned eight events (races two through nine, inclusive) and offered total prize money of $60,000. Morgan earned the top prize of $15,000.

World Wide Racing Photos

Answer Me This was one of Tony Morgan’s two winning drives in the Harrah’s Chester Drivers Challenge.

Morgan’s performance garnered him 192 points, enough to best runner-up George Brennan, who notched 184 points. Tim Tetrick was third with 130 points, while Brian Sears (105 points), Cat Manzi (84 points), Yannick Gingras (78.5 points), David Miller (65 points) and Ron Pierce (52.5 points) rounded out the scoring.

Points were awarded in each race based upon final finish position as follows: first place (50 points), second place (25 points), third place (12 points), fourth place (eight points), fifth place (five points), sixth place (four points), seventh place (three points), and eighth place (two points). If a driver’s horse was scratched, 15 points were awarded. Drivers were permitted to have their choice of one mount in one race, with their other drives being determined by random draw.

Morgan’s victories came with Tristate Hanover in the second race and Answer Me This in the seventh event. Brennan and Tetrick also registered driving doubles, but it was the consistency of Morgan’s non-winning contest mounts that earned him the title.

“Some days you get lucky and everything goes right,” Morgan said afterward. “This was one of those days.”

Participating drivers contributed their standard five percent commissions to Operation Warm, a charitable organization that donates warm coats to children living in poverty nationwide. A total of $8,880 was raised.