A total of 40 of the 73 starters survived the first elimination round of the popular Survivor Series for $5,000 male claiming pacers Monday at Miami Valley Raceway.

Many of those that met the top five finish requirement to advance from the eight divisions will go postward for new owners in Round 2 as 18 horses changed hands via the claim box in Round 1. Only the horses claimed in Round 1 that advanced will carry claiming tags in Round 2, but with 30% enhanced purchase prices ($6,500).

Purses for the eight Round 1 elimination races were $5,000. When four divisions go postward in Round 2 they’ll compete for $6,000 purses. A pair of $7,500 Round 3 races in the third week will determine the finalists for the $20,000 championship tilt on Monday, Feb. 24.

Round 1 winners were Stanhope (1:56.1, Josh Sutton), Totally Kissed (1:55.4, Kayne Kauffman), Bettor Win (1:55.2, LeWayne Miller), Hit And Giggle A (1:54.2, Brett Miller), A J Corbelli (1:54.1, Trace Tetrick), Montana Pablo A (1:54.2, Shawn Barker II), Fritas Shooter (1:56, John DeLong) and Amasa Al (1:54.2, Barker).

Mutuel payoffs in the eight elimination heats on Monday ranged from $3.00 (Totally Kissed) to $101.60 (Amasa Al). Four of the 18 horses claimed in Round 1 were among the eight winners.

The Survivor Series for $5,000 claiming mares will commence on Tuesday (Feb. 4) in four $6,000 divisions at Miami Valley. Post time for the matinee program is 2:05 p.m.

(Miami Valley Raceway)