by Millard Beatty

Chester, PA — The 2-year-old colt Verdad delivered the first win of his young career for owner, driver, trainer, lawyer and restaurant owner Harold Taylor on Sunday (July 17) at Harrah’s Chester.

Taylor owns and operates Verdad Restaurant & Tequila Bar in Bryn Mawr, Pa. He bred this 2-year-old colt who is by Western Ideal and out of his own mare Jennie Fanetta.

Sunday was the second start of the year for Verdad, but his first at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack on Back to the Track weekend.

Verdad, with Yannick Gingras driving, left quickly and settled in second in the maiden pace behind the front runner The Say Hey Kid with Jack Parker, Jr. in the sulky. The Say Hey Kid went to the first quarter in an easy :29. As they came by the I-291 homestretch, Verdad was sitting comfortable in second as The Say Hey Kid hit the half in 1:00.

Verdad went on by The Say Hey Kid and started to draw off by six lengths, hitting the three-quarter pole in 1:27.1. Down the homestretch it was Verdad all the way, winning by four lengths in 1:56.2, with People Are Crazy second and the betting favorite Hillbilly Hanover third. Verdad went off at 2-1 and paid $6.40 to his backers.

“Verdad wears a choke plate to hold his head up,” said Taylor. “If he keeps his head down he cuts off his oxygen. This is what happened to him at the Meadowlands back in June. We found out the problem and corrected it.

“His next start will be with non-winners of two races, Pa sired preferred. Verdad is placed in stakes races in New Jersey, but we will see how he is coming along if we want to enter him in a stake race.”

Now Howard Taylor has two successful “Verdads.” One, his restaurant in Bryn Mawr, and two, his young 2-year-old colt.