by Mike Tanner for Harrah’s Chester Downs
CHESTER – A track record fell at Harrah’s Chester Racetrack and Casino for the second time this week when the six-year-old JM Vangogh trotted the mile in a blistering 1:54.2 today, bettering his own track mark for aged trotters of 1:55.2 set on September 14. Under the guidance of driver Tony Morgan, who leads all North American drivers in victories this year, JM Vangogh led every step of the way and set fractions of :27.3, :57, and 1:25.3 en route to his record clocking.
For his efforts, JM Vangogh picked up the winner’s purse of $6,000 for his owner-trainer, Paul Chambers, and co-owner, John Mello. His career earnings now stand at greater than $1.1 million.
On Sunday, Joseph Alborano’s Artistic Fella and driver Catello Manzi established a track record for all-aged pacers by holding off Quality Western in that day’s feature race in 1:50.1. Artistic Fella, winner of this year’s $1 million Meadowlands Pace in July, is expected to be one of the favorites in this weekend’s Breeders’ Crown eliminations at Mohawk Raceway in Campbellville, Ontario, Canada.