CHESTER PA – The Explosive Matter gelding Mcmatters, making his debut for Team Orange Crush (driver Andy and trainer Julie Miller), went a giant first-over mile to catch heavy favorite Bluffinner, bidding for his fifth straight win, and take a division of the twin $14,400 trotting features at Harrah’s Philadelphia Thursday in 1:54.2.
Bluffinner moved to the lead under the wire the first time and looked like he might be tough to catch after getting a :59 half. But nobody told this to Mcmatters; the four-year-old started raw at the race’s midpoint, gained into a fast third panel and got a tuck in the pocket past the 1:26.4 three-quarters, then came out again for the stretch battle and went on by Bluffinner by 1¼ lengths. The math adds up to a raw last half of :54.4 for Mcmatters, earning his first win of the year for owner Denise Dennis.