MidAtlanticHarness.com

by James Witherite-Rieg, on-course commentator at Harrah’s Chester
Casino and Racetrack

Despite being overshadowed by Buck I St Pat’s 1:52.57 world-record
performance in the Maxie Lee Memorial Trot at Harrah’s Chester this
past week, many horses turned in noteworthy performances throughout
the week.

Sunday (May 25) afternoon’s Open Pace saw Mister Big ($3.40) return to
the races after a long string of qualifiers. Sitting second-over on
the far turn, Brian Sears tipped the five-year-old Grinfromeartoear
entire three-wide at the head of the stretch and nailed Philos Hanover
(Cat Manzi) at the line to secure a 1:50.0 win.

Tivoli Hanover ($17.20) was also victorious from the second-over
position, kicking off the cover of Noble Falcon to take the
Four-Year-Old Open in 1:49.4.  Daniel Dube drove the gelded son of
Western Hanover.  Hennessy Hanover (Ron Pierce) and For Starz Sue (Tim
Tetrick) also broke the 1:50 mark, turning in miles of 1:49.2 and
1:49.3, respectively.

The Mares Open Pace on Monday (May 26) afternoon saw My Little Dragon
($4.40) turn in a simply dominant performance, brushing to the front
just after the quarter and drawing clear by 6-3/4 lengths in a 1:50.1
mile.  Australian Andrew McCarthy handled the driving duties on the
five-year-old Dragon Again mare.

Wednesday’s (May 28) card saw Harrah’s Chester attract record handle,
with $885,009 wagered on the thirteen-race card.  Harness racing in
greater Philadelphia continues to gain the respect of punters
nationwide, with average daily handle exceeding $540,000.

Be aware that on June 15 and August 17 (both Sunday afternoons),
Harrah’s Chester will employ a 3:00 p.m. first post.

FT. WASHINGTON, MD – Frank Milby, 29, hit a career milestone in early June, scoring his 1,000th driving win. Professionally in the sulky since around 1998, Milby earned this notable win at Harrington Raceway on June 4th with Bengali, a Lindy Lane gelding.

Milby’s best season to date was in 2007 with 227 wins and over $1.1 million in earnings. A native of Easton, Maryland, Milby plans to spend the summer driving at Ocean Downs and surrounding tracks.

No stranger to the sport, Milby has been involved since he can remember. “I think growing up around it has really inspired me, my family’s been doing this since I believe the 60’s… I was a little lazy [picking up catch drives] when I started out, but started doing it more in the past couple years.”

“My favorite horse has to be Pilgrim’s Fiery – I got to drive him from when he was 10 to age 14 when he retired,” Milby continued. “I won his 100th race at Rosecroft in 2003 and I got to drive him the night he won over $1 million lifetime.”

“I want to keep working my way into Delaware, maybe become part of the top five in the driving colony, it would be a good goal to have over here,” Milby said when asked about his future goals. “I appreciate all the trainers that put me up and I can’t wait for early July to get here so I can be at Ocean Downs full time and relax.”

-Daina Kazmaier, Rosecroft Raceway