Driver David Miller floated Mcwicked off the gate to get away fifth while Nirvana Seelster battled with Dr J Hanover through a :25.4 first quarter, with Great Vintage getting away behind them in third. Yielding for the pocket, Nirvana Seelster soon pulled to the outside to retake the lead from Dr J Hanover before the half, with Mcwicked grabbing cover from Dealt A Winner pacing fourth in a :54.2 half.
Nirvana Seelster maintained control circling the final turn. Dealt A Winner crept closer to be third wide of pocket-sitter Dr J Hanover, carrying Mcwicked to be second over and to the outside of Great Vintage pacing fourth. After a third-quarter of 1:22, Miller swung Mcwicked around his faltering cover and pursued Nirvana Seelster, who held the lead until the final hundred yards when Mcwicked edged past and advanced to a half-length win over Nirvana Seelster, Great Vintage, and Shamballa, who rallied up the rail for fourth.
Competing for owner S S G Stables, Mcwicked, a six-year-old horse by Mcardle from the Western Ideal mare Western Sahara, scored his 20th win in 59 tries, pushing his career earnings to $1,928,866. Trained by Casie Coleman, Mcwicked returned $4.90 to win.
Ray Cotolo / Mark McKelvie – WEG Communications