Despite a six-week layoff, American Girl returned to the races a winner in Miami Valley’s Friday (Jan. 19) night featured $22,000 Mares Open Pace.

Leading driver Trace Tetrick pushed the nine-year-old Arts Chip mare from the gate with authority, but didn’t clear to the front until just past the :27 opening quarter. With Dalianna (Kayne Kauffman) finally tucked behind, Juslikeaqueen (Jeremy Smith) ranged immediately alongside American Girl with Tetrick wisely allowing her challenger to forge to the front.

As the front-runners approached the pedestrian :56.3 half, favoured Safe From Terror (Chris Page) mounted a fierce first-over challenge. With Juslikeaqueen and Safe From Terror just a neck apart at the three-quarter station, reached in 1:24.3, American Girl left the pylons and swung three-wide coming off the final turn. She was followed by Colorful Sky (Josh Sutton), who was forced a lane wider yet.

In the end, American Girl had just enough left to nip runner-up Dalianna in 1:54.2, while Juslikeaqueen picked up the show dough.

Tyler George, off to an impressive start to the 2018 Miami Valley meet, conditions American Girl for partners Darla Gaskin and Stanley Rosenblatt. The 47-time winner’s lifetime bankroll increased to $867,410.

Four divisions of Claim To Fame Series action for $12,500 male pacers also went to post on Friday. Winners were Owen Hanover (Chris Page, $10.20 to win), Shakerattlenrock (Randy Tharps, $12), Del Rio Seelster (Jeremy Smith, $24.20) and Cambassador (Tetrick, $4). With the claim box bustling, as it has throughout the opening Claim To Fame Series week, a total of 10 of the 36 horses in the first leg will be racing for new owners in their next start in the series.

(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)