Elmo Blatch was crowned champion of the $22,500 Ray Paver, Sr. Memorial Trotting Series during Monday afternoon’s card at Miami Valley.

The late-blooming five-year-old half-brother to Breeders Crown winner Walner left the gate with alacrity for driver Tyler Lough, reaching the quarter on top in :28. After rating a middle half with timing stations reached in :57.1 and 1:26.2, Elmo Blatch erased any doubt about the outcome with a :29.4 closing split to win in 1:56.1. He three-quarters of a length better than Joyfulntriumphant (Jeremy Smith) with Cassandra AS (Elliott Deaton) garnering the show dough.

Elmo Blatch had a win and a narrow runner-up finish in two preliminary series legs before adding the final to his rapidly developing resume. Very lightly raced as a juvenile, the winner now sports six wins in the last two seasons and a bankroll of $55,672.

He is owned and trained by David Lough.

(Miami Valley Raceway)