Indiana-sired Silver Flash wins first race at Chester
The new Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack opened for Standardbred racing on Sunday, September 10, 2006. Indiana was well-represented in the inaugural race, as Silver Flash won the event in 1:52. A son of Hi Ho Silverheels, Silver Flash has also competed at The Meadowlands. It was the second victory of the year for the 5-year-old pacer, and pushed his seasonal earnings to $92,930. He has won 17 of 77 lifetime starts and banked nearly $300,000. He is currently owned by Alan Cohn and Frank & Lisa Matassa, all from New York. Trained by Ron Coyne, Jr., he was piloted to the vicotry by veteran driver Cat Manzi.
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Harness racing returns to the Delaware Valley with a flash
Sunday, September 10, 2006 - by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications
Silver Flash, with Hall of Fame driver Cat Manzi at the lines, won the inaugural race at the new Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack in southeastern Pennsylvania on Sunday afternoon (September 10) over Perdition and Fields Of Honour A in 1:52.
It was the second victory of the year for the 5-year-old pacer, and pushed his seasonal earnings to $92,930. He has won 17 of 77 lifetime starts and banked nearly $300,000.
“First, it just feels great to win; that it was the inaugural race makes it really special,” said Alan Cohn of Staten Island, New York, who owns the horse with Frank and Lisa Matassa. “This is a beautiful place. I’m kind of new to the game, so for me it’s a double thrill.”
Cohn, 50, retired as a middle school English teacher after being involved in a car accident six years ago. He has been an owner for less than a year.
“I’m a fan from Roosevelt Raceway back in the day, and Monticello,” Cohn said. “I just decided to get involved and see how it goes. We’ve got a nice horse here.”
The opening of Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack, which was greeted by more than 5,000 fans on Sunday, marked the return of racing to the Philadelphia area. Liberty Bell, Brandywine and Garden State Park all closed within the last 20 years.
"Liberty Bell was a pleasure to race at,” Manzi said. “Everyone I spoke to loved Brandywine; I was only there a couple of times. I love racing in this area. I think they’ve got a great thing started here. I’m really looking forward to it.”
The 1:52 win time by Silver Flash, trained by Ron Coyne, Jr., was the fastest opening mile over a new racetrack, according to Jerry Connors of the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission.
“That’s a good time, but that’s a good horse I’ve got,” Manzi said. “He went through a little bad spell, some bad luck they said; I had confidence in him.
“I was expecting to win with him and it feels great.”
Source: USTA Website (09-10-06)