Harrah's Philadelphia: Will Take Charge matches world record

Will Take Charge tied Sevruga's 1:50 3/5 world record for an aged gelding trotter on a five-eighths-mile track in winning Sunday afternoon's $150,000 Maxie Lee Invitational at Harrah's Philadelphia.

A 5-year-old gelding by Kadabra, Will Take Charge left a little but couldn’t contend early as Crazy Wow and driver Yannick Gingras set sail for the top. Tuonoblu Rex settled in the pocket as the quarter was raced in 26 4/5 with favored Marion Marauder getting away slowly from the rail and Warrawee Roo parked from the outset.

Tetrick got Will Take Charge on the move before the three-eighths completion and engaged Crazy Wow at the half in 54 4/5 and three-quarters in 1:22 4/5, with Warrawee Roo second-over and Marion Marauder third-over in the flow.

Will Take Charge muscled past the leader in early stretch, with Tetrick actively urging him forward and waiting for the charge of Triple Crown champion Marion Marauder to develop. Scott Zeron tried to get Marion Marauder motivated, but the 5-year-old could only get up for second, with Crazy Wow settling for third.

"It’s my second trotter to go 1:50 here," said Tetrick after the race. "It's windy and a little tough on the front-end today. He was the one to beat in my mind and despite a tough trip got it done."

Owned by Mac Nichol and trained by Jeff Gillis, Will Take Charge returned $7.40 as the second choice in the field while winning for the sixth time in 2018 and shattering his career-best clocking by two seconds.