from Harrah’s Chester Publicity Department

Chester, PA — Following last year’s record-setting performance by Artistic Fella, the 2009 Ben Franklin Pace is expected to once again attract top performers at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack on Sunday, July 26.

Two eliminations are set for Sunday, July 19, and each race carries a purse of $50,000. Starters include two-time Older Pacer of the Year Mister Big, facing off in the second division against Dali, who finished second behind Art Official in the 2008 Hoosier Cup, and 2008 Little Brown Jug winner Shadow Play. In the first division, 2008 Meadowlands Pace winner Art Official leads the pack in earnings with Won The West close behind in a six-horse field.

Post time for both the eliminations on July 19 and the final on July 26 is 1:15 p.m.

Last year, Joseph Alborano’s Artistic Fella, with Tim Tetrick in the bike, smashed the world record in 1:48, the fastest ever on a five-eighths-mile oval.

“The Ben Franklin has quickly established itself as one of the premier events in harness racing,” said Barry Brown, Director of Racing Operations for Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack. “It attracts some of the nation’s top horses and drivers, and this year will be no exception.

“The Ben Franklin unofficially kicks off the height of high-stakes racing here at Harrah’s Chester. It makes for an exciting run-up to Super Stakes Sunday on August 16, where over $2.2 million in purses will be awarded before a jam-packed September with races like the $575,000 Valley Victory, the $475,000 Three Diamonds and the $650,000 Governor’s Cup.”