Harrah's Philadelphia: Workin Ona Mystery stalks, sprints to Commodore Barry win

A pocket trip behind overwhelming favorite Nicholas Beach proved the key to victory for Workin Ona Mystery ($11.80) in Sunday's (May 29) $100,000 Commodore Barry, for older pacers, at Harrah's Philadelphia. The veteran campaigner ground forward up the open stretch and outlasted a four-wide rally from Nandolo N to win by a neck in 1:49 1/5, giving Harrah's Philadelphia mainstay Tim Tetrick his first win in the event.

Knowing a close trip was essential, Tetrick protected the pole with Workin Ona Mystery - but the 6-year-old Captaintreacherous stallion had to throw down a 25 4/5 first quarter to seat Wild Wild Western (Mike Wilder) into the pocket. With just over a circuit remaining, Joe Bongiorno moved 1-2 favorite Nicholas Beach from third to the lead, and Workin Ona Mystery willingly yielded for a pocket trip through middle fractions of 54 and 1:21.

"I knew I couldn't get too far away from Nicholas Beach," Tetrick said. "I didn't want to have to be first-up or anything, so I had to get close to him."

Turning for home, horses fanned wide from behind a stalled Ignatius A, whose first-over bid into Nicholas Beach stagnated at the eighth pole. But, despite the host of late threats, Workin Ona Mystery worked up the open stretch to take the lead with 70 yards remaining.

"Luckily, he didn't get away from me, and I was able to beat him up the passing lane,” Tetrick continued. “My horse was very comfortable; I just know Nicholas Beach could throw another 26 second quarter on after that. Luckily, my horse could keep up with him."

Workin Ona Mystery narrowly evaded 28-1 outsider Nandolo N (Jason Bartlett); Wild Wild Western (Mike Wilder) saved third up the pegs after being hemmed in from midfield. Nicholas Beach was a beaten fourth.

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Ron Burke trains Workin Ona Mystery, now an 18-time winner with $907,819 in career earnings, for Burke Racing Stable, Milton Leeman, Alan Keith and Wingfield Brothers LLC.