It took Manhattan Beach two tries, but the son of Somebeachsomewhere got his initial victory of 2018 in the $25,000 Open Pace at Miami Valley Raceway on Saturday night (January 13).

Driver Trace Tetrick benefitted from Manhattan Beach’s best post position in quite some time to control the race throughout. After easily getting the top from the three-hole, the winner cruised through quarter-mile splits of :28, :56.3 and 1:24.1 before sprinting home by open lengths in 1:52.1. The 12-degree temperature didn’t seem to faze the Walter Haynes Jr.-trainee as the five-year-old gelding notched his 13th career victory and upped his lifetime bounty to almost $700,000.

John McGill and Brian Carsey are partners on Manhattan Beach, who lead My Hero Ron (Tyler Smith) and Boys Round Here (Kayne Kauffman) across the finish line.

Four divisions of the first leg of the Claim To Fame late-closing series for male $20,000 claimers also went to post on Saturday, each carrying a $20,000 tag. A total of 10 horses changed hands through the claim box, although 34 claims were entered. Most popular at the claim box was Just Bettor, an eight-year-old Bettors Delight gelding, who had 14 hopeful new owners. Through luck of the random draw, Black Magic Racing is the new owner. Just Bettor finished fourth in the first leg.

Tetrick, who was recently crowned champion of the North America Drivers Challenge at Miami Valley, won four of the first 12 races, including a trio of trips to the winner’s circle with horses from the Tyler George Stable.

(Miami Valley Raceway)