Boys Round Here benefited from a second-over trip to capture the $24,000 Open Pace on Miami Valley Raceway’s second night of the 2018 meet Saturday, January 6.

Odds-on favourite Manhattan Beach raced from first over from the quarter on and was only passed in the final strides. Stamkos nosed out Ideal Rocky for third.

Ryan Bellamy trains Boys Round Here for owners Robert Bellamy and Chris Bulak. The six-year-old gelded son of Real Desire has now won 21 of his 83 career races and has earned $87,000 of his $133,000 lifetime bankroll in the last 12 months. Driven by Sam Widger, he paid $7.00 to win.

“We are very encouraged by the start of our meet,” said John Marshall, Assistant General Manager of Miami Valley. “Despite record-low temperatures during our first two nights, the grandstand has been full and our handle numbers are among the best in our brief five year history.”

The excitement over Miami Valley’s opening week continues Sunday, Monday and Tuesday with three matinees featuring the $25,000 North American Drivers' Championship. Thirty top reinsmen from the United States and Canada will compete for the $10,000 first prize and the right to hoist the championship trophy.

Post time is 2:05 p.m. on each matinee.

(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)