Four divisions of $12,500 male claiming pacers went postward on Friday night (Jan. 26) at Miami Valley Raceway to determine the finalists for their $30,000 Claim To Fame championship race next week.
The winners were Why Dont U Stay (Tyler Smith, 1:55.2, $3.60 to win), Hustling Charley (Kayne Kauffman, 1:53.3, $4.60), Shakerattlenrock (Dan Noble, 1:53.4, $2.80) and Cambassador (Trace Tetrick, 1:53.4, $8.20). They will be joined in the final by survivors Ally Con, Del Rio Seelster, Flyin Orion, Glory Beach and Owen Hanover.
Four of the nine horses in the final fray will be racing for new owners, compliments of the claim box where horses were going for $15,600 in the second leg — a 25 per cent premium over the first leg base price. Why Dont U Stay joined the Mike Wilson Stable, Del Rio Seelster now resides in the Ryan Bellamy barn, Shakerattlenrock was added to the Ken Rucker shedrow, while Owen Hanover entered the Mike Polhamus Stable.
A pair of reinsmen, Kayne Kauffman and Chris Page, each scored hat tricks on the Friday program. Kauffman triumphed with Hay Goodlookin (1:53.2, $35.40), Hustling Charley and Artistic Fusion (1:54.4, $10.40) — all from his own training stable. Page was victorious behind Js Livethedream (1:56.3, $7.80), Nyanna Hanover (1:55.3, $2.60) and Almargot A Fever (1:53.3, $3.40).
Racing resumes Saturday night at Miami Valley when a $25,000 Open Handicap Pace and the $35,000 Claim To Fame final for $20,000 male claimers will be co-features.
(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)