CT: Gurney Halleck in Time in Mercer Thriller * The Racing Biz

The Henry Mercer Memorial Stakes met expectations. The test for young people bred by West Virginia probably seemed to have a quick and disputed pace that was the outcome of the $ 75,000 of Saturday night in Charles Town Races.

What looked like a speed -heavy group on paper, played exactly on the track that way, and it set the table for a collection of score by Gurney Halleck, a gray son of practical joke who achieved his first career victory in dramatic fashion.

Gurney Halleck broke from post 2 under Arnaldo Bocacca and was not in a hurry early and fell back well, because several rivals were addicted in a heated battle for the management. Tricks R for Juba and Irish Jubalee went against each other in 21.83 seconds through an opening quarter, while the large spap was busy. While the leaders started to feel the pressure handling home, Gurney Halleck circled the turn four to reach the battle.

Within the last sixteenth, the Colt increased by tiring speed while he ran the widest and the wrong lead. Chuck Town, who had conquered traffic problems to burst out late between rivals, could not fully go with the winner and settle for the second.

Gurney Halleck ruled with half a length in 52.42 for 4 ½ Furlongs on a fast track. Chuck Town, his debut conquest earlier this month, ranged in second place, while tricks R for Juba, the early leader, moisture on Gamely to secure third. The large LEP closed the Superfecta after flattening in the final yards.

Owned by David M. Raim, trained by Jeff Runco, and bred in West Virginia by O’Sullivan Farms, LLC and Javier Contreras, Gurney Halleck now has a record of 1-Uit-2 with $ 51.572 in income. The victory of the Mercer was especially satisfactory after his promising debut second place in Chuck Town, which shows that he had learned from that experience and could turn the tables when the racing flow played to his strengths.

The gambling audience had linked him as the lukewarm favorite, and he rewarded donors with $ 6.00 to win, $ 3.00 to place and $ 2.40 to show. Chuck Town returned $ 3.40 and $ 2.80, while tricks R paid for Juba $ 3.40 to show. The $ 1 Exacta (2-3) came back $ 8.10, the $ 1 trifecta (2-3-1) paid $ 20.30 and the $ 1 superfecta (2-3-1-7) was worth $ 84.50.

The next bet bred by the state for two -year -olds takes place on the West Virginia Breeders Classics’ Night.