Less than 24 hours before Sunday's $100,000 Commodore Barry, there didn't appear to be the likelihood that driver Joe Bongiorno and favored Nicholas Beach would be together at Harrah's Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon, as Bongiorno was involved in a wreck at the Meadowlands on Saturday night and taken to the hospital. The grit and determination involved in a winning a race is generally reserved for the horse, but Bongiorno bounced back in short order, and Nicholas Beach did not let him down, capturing the invitational in 1:48 4/5 over a rain-soaked surface. Bongiorno had Nicholas Beach on the gate and on the gas pedal leaving and quickly crossed over as the wings folded, forcing This Is The Plan to work very hard to secure the front shortly before the 26 1/5 opening quarter. American History and Andrew McCarthy made a belated leaving attempt and landed in the three-hole midway on the opening bend as Western Joe got away fourth from the pole position. This Is The Plan, with Yannick Gingras, marched along at a solid clip, hitting the half in 54 seconds flat and waiting for competition. McCarthy and American History moved with aggression following the first five-eighths point and went nose-to-nose with This Is The Plan through a 1:21 1/5 three-quarters. Bongiorno was taking no chances and angled himself back in the bike and moved to follow American History as opposed to waiting for the passing lane to open up. This Is The Plan fought back gamely to put away American History, but once Bongiorno got Nicholas Beach out wide, the 5-year-old by Somebeachsomewhere took off and exploded past the dueling leaders to win convincingly. This Is The Plan was determined to the wire for the place spot, with Western Joe putting in another of his traditionally game efforts for third. American History faded to fourth. "He's the reason I'm here today," said Joe Bongiorno in the winner's circle. "I feel OK in the bike, but my ribs and my arm hurt a little and my knee is bothering me." Owned by John Lengecher, Michael Cole Gagnon, and Jennifer Bongiorno Stable LLC., Nicholas Beach was a winner for the fifth time in seven starts this season for trainer Jennifer Bongiorno. Sent off as the 4-5 favorite, Nicholas Beach returned $3.80. "He's going to get a little breather after this," said Jennifer Bongiorno about Nicholas Beach's future schedule. "We're pointing him for the Sam McKee (August 7), The Breeders Crown, and the Allerage."