Driver Marvin Luna grabbed the lead early with Swan Flyer, got shuffled and then unleashed his charge into the final turn in progress to a blowout victory in the $41,892 Open Trot at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel on Tuesday, April 9.
Leaving from post two, Luna landed Swan Flyer on the lead to a :27.2 quarter before finding himself in fourth to a :56.1 half. Through the shuffle for the lead, Kings County (Anthony MacDonald) emerged on the point with Yo Beth D (Verlin Yoder) following his move to grab the pocket and even-money favourite, The Hazelton (Devon Tharps), getting pinned into third. Yo Beth D pulled pocket up the backside and circled to lead the field while Luna found clearance to angle Swan Flyer from the pylons and lay his attack for the front.
Past three-quarters in 1:24.3, Yo Beth D clung to a diminishing lead as Swan Flyer gathered momentum for the straightaway. Swan Flyer took over the lead spinning for home and expanded his advantage with every stride until he crossed the beam in the 1:53.3 mile 5-1/4 lengths better than closing Usosweet Blue Chip (Atlee Bender). The Hazelton shook free from a locked trip to take third and Kings County settled for fourth.
Mickey Burke conditions Swan Flyer, a five-year-old gelding by Swan For All, for owners FAC Racing LLC, Joseph Di Scala Jr. and Yannick Gingras. He won 15th race from 55 starts and has earned $257,539. Sent off as the third choice in the betting, he paid $12.42 to win.
In the co-featured $24,324 Open 2 Trot, Atlee Bender waited to lay siege with Erv Miller trainee Sparks Fly until past three-quarters before bolting towards the lead and striding effortlessly to a 1:55.1 victory as the odds-on favourite. The four-year-old Bar Hopping gelding won his sixth race from 17 starts for owners Ervin Miller Stable Inc. and Douglas Overhiser, and pushed his bankroll to $83,977. He paid $3.46 to win.
Racing resumes at Oak Grove next Monday, April 15. First-race post time is 3 p.m. (CDT).
(Oak Grove Racing)