from the USTA Communications Department

Chester, PA — Whiskey Pete and driver Brian Sears came charging down the lane to nip heavily favored Foiled Again by three-quarters of a length in 1:50.1 in the $70,000 Open on Sunday (May 8) at Harrah’s Chester.

Drop Red (Andy Miller) took the field of eight to the opening quarter in :27.1 before yielding to Foiled Again (Yannick Gingras) at the half-mile marker in :55.2. Foiled Again continued on the front end at the 1:23.1 three-quarter pole and still had the lead turning for home.

Whiskey Pete, who sat fourth for the opening half, moved up to second on the outside at the three-quarter pole and was within 1-1/4 lengths of the leader at the top of the stretch. Sears urged the 4-year-old Art Major-Cheryl’s Western gelding to the wire with a :26.4 final quarter and went on to score by the three-quarter length margin over Foiled Again. Vintage Master (Daniel Dube) was third while Drop Red had to settle for fourth place money.

Whiskey Pete is owned by Ted Gewertz and is trained by Nat Varty. He has won seven times in 16 trips to the post this year, with earnings of $178,490.