by Mike Tanner, Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack

Chester, PA — Pride and Carrie’s Credit both established new track records in capturing respective divisions of the first leg of the Shep’s Pride late closer series on Friday (Nov. 24) at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack. The Shep’s Pride divisions offered $20,000 purses to trotters who had not won $75,000 in 2006.

Tony Morgan drove Pride to a 1:56.2 triumph.

Pride, sent off at odds of 9-2, made the most of a second-over trip behind prohibitive favorite Magic Swan, then edged clear late to capture Friday’s first division. Driven by Tony Morgan, Pride trotted the mile in 1:56.2, establishing what would turn out to be a briefly held Harrah’s Chester record for 4-year-old gelded trotters. Mr Performer was second and Stonetag was third.

“The horse has had gate problems in the past,” Morgan explained, “so the plan today was to get him relaxed and see what would happen. “The #1 (Rickie) and the #3 (Magic Swan) were cutting some good fractions (:27.3, :57, and 1:26.3). When Cat (Manzi) pulled out with Magic Swan, I was able to pick up some good, live cover.”

Pride is an altered son of Proud Crown co-owned by Leonard Bogner and trainer Al Meyer. Friday’s victory was Pride’s sixth in 14 starts this year.

World Wide Racing Photos

Carie’s Credit (Andy Miller) won the second division in 1:56.

In the second division of the first leg, driver Andy Miller took the overland route with Carie’s Credit, coming from almost eight lengths off the pace to sweep past everyone in the last 70 yards to score a one length triumph over Elvis Cole (second) and Godess Of Chaos (third).

For Carie’s Credit, it was his fourth win of the year, all coming for the John Kay Racing Stable and Richard Spota Stables. The Kevin McDermott-trainee stopped the timer in 1:56, breaking the record set 30 minutes earlier by Pride.

“The rain we’ve been getting lately has made it easier for horses that come from off of the pace,” said Miller afterward, “and this horse fits that description. I was happy to be watching the favorites slugging it out up front. He (Carie’s Credit) did the rest.”