Another pair of 'Claim To Fame' series kicked off on the Monday afternoon matinee at Miami Valley Raceway, with first leg action for both $8,000 claiming trotters and $8,000 mare pacers in two divisions each.
Both winning trotters were heavy favourites that set sail from the coveted inside ‘rail’ post position, and both had new owners via the claim box when the dust settled.
On the distaff pacing side, a couple relative longshots prevailed that will race for the same connections in leg two when all the combatants will carry 25% higher tags.
P L Incoming (Trace Tetrick, $2.40 to win) won the quickest division for square gaiters, trotting to a 1:56.2 triumph over Hermosa (Chris Page) and Vicki All (Jeremy Smith).
It was the eighth career win for the five-year-old Kadabra gelding who entered the fray under the tutelage of trainer Tyler George, but exited into the care of trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr.
Ima Gold Digger N (Jeremy Smith, $3.00) trotted to an impressive 1:58.2 score for red-hot trainer Rob Zink, topping Jessica Lar Bar (Andy Shetler) and More Than Likely (Kyle Wilfong).
The 12-year-old New Zealand foaled trotter won for the 39th time in his career with career bounty now better than $380,000. He’ll make his next start from out of the Jeff Nisonger Stable.
Flying Crystal (John DeLong) tallied over Casa Miasa (Mike Oosting) and ER Lila (Trace Tetrick) in 1:56, returning $17.60 to her backers.
The six-year-old Dontgetinmyway lass had a very good 2016 season for owner-trainer Art Gregory Jr. with 10 wins and $46,380 in earnings and looks to repeat in 2017.
As Seely Promised (1:55.2, $20.00) headed Prosper (Trace Tetrick) and Lex (Kyle Wilfong) to the finish line following a second tier start in the second distaff division, scoring for the 30th time in her career.
The nine-year-old mare, who hails from the Barry Langley barn, stamped herself as a strong contender when the lucrative championship final goes to post in two weeks.
The last two of seven “Claim To Fame” series will get underway on Tuesday afternoon with a 2:05 p.m. post time. Female pacers will launch in a pair of $12,500 claiming divisions; while four splits will go postward of $8,000 male claiming pacers.
(Miami Valley Raceway)