by James Witheriite, for Harrah’s Philadelphia

Chester, PA — Not only did Sunfire Blue Chip ($14.20) duel down double millionaire Mach It So, but he also parried a ferocious late rally from the white-hot Donttellmeagain in Sunday afternoon’s (Aug. 26) featured $30,000 Great Northeast event for open pacers at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

World Wide Racing Photo

Sunfire Blue Chip(between horses) holds off a late charge from Donttellmeagain (#9) in Sunday’sGreat Northeast event at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

The 8-year-old American Ideal entire got away cleanly in third behind early pacesetter Check Six (Tony Morgan) and stalked a :26.1 first quarter before watching Mach It So (George Napolitano Jr.) brush from the pocket with a circuit to go before working to clear before reaching race’s midpoint in :54.2. Driver Josert Fonseca angled Sunfire Blue Chip first-over up the far side and worked steadily toward Mach It So through a :27.3 third split.

Within half a length a quarter from home, Sunfire Blue Chip inched closer through the far turn and gained equal footing with Mach It So at head-stretch. Meanwhile, Donttellmeagain (Victor Kirby) — a 1:49.1 winner in Great Northeast action a fortnight ago — was building momentum around foes after kicking third-over cover.

With one challenger put away, Sunfire Blue Chip held tough to the end of a 1:50 mile, keeping Donttellmeagain a head at bay. Third place finisher Mach It So proved valiant in defeat, only beaten by half a length.

For Jimmy Takter trainee Sunfire Blue Chip, the Great Northeast win was his 30th career tally and ifth of the season. Christina Takter, John and Jim Fielding, Brixton Medical and R A W Equine own the millionaire pacer.

No one correctly selected the top five finishers in the afternoon’s fifth race, despite 4-5 favorite Penzance Hanover ($3.60, Napolitano) winning the $17,000 conditioned event. As such, the 20-cent Jackpot Hi-5 carryover for Wednesday’s (Aug. 29) program increased to $7,146.35. Post time for the first of 14 races on Wednesday is 12:25 p.m. Eastern.