Like ageless wonder Tom Brady and the world’s finest wines, a lot of good harness horses seem to get better when they should be past their prime. The current Miami Valley Claim To Fame Series for $20,000 horses and geldings is a prime example.

Of the three first-leg divisions totaling 25 horses, 10 were 10-years-old or older.  Eight of the veteran pacers have eclipsed the 30 wins plateau, while the other pair have 29 and 19 victories. 

The double-digit aged stalwarts almost swept the three divisions, with two of them winning and a third narrowly defeated—by a nine-year-old!

American Virgin scored over Rock Solid Image and Lucifers Legend A in the first split. The 10-year-old Always A Virgin gelding’s lifetime scoreboard now reads 226 starts with 41 wins, 42 seconds and 32 thirds good for $754,718 in purse earnings. Tyler Smith drove the $18.40 winner to a 1:54.3 mile.​

Not to be outdone, 12-year-old Major Bucks and driver Trace Tetrick captured the second division, narrowly defeating 10-year-old Evergreen Elite in 1:54. Shanghai Bobby was next across the line. The winning son of Art Major now sports a career scoreboard of 36-48-59 in 299 starts. Entered by leading trainer Tyler George, Major Bucks will make his next start for Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, who purchased him via the claim box.

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Owner William Cantrell and trainer Jeff Brewer, who campaign American Virgin, got a second series victory with nine-year-old Highlandbeachycove (Tyler Smith, 1:52.4) who nipped Hawk’s Red Chief at the beam. Youngster Tick’s A Yankin (age 5) secured the show share of the $20,000 purse. 

Other veteran racehorses who competed in the $20,000 claiming series were Cantescapemydesire (age 10, 32 wins, $234,385 in earnings), Sportskeeper (age 10, 32 wins, $566,991), Armaboybluechipboy N (age 10, 19 wins, $230,432), Fools Desire (age 10, 37 wins, $377,017), Vegas Rocks (age 10, 43 wins, $390,646) and Rangers Sureshot (age 11, 48 wins, $483,971).

Racing resumes Wednesday (Feb. 2) at Miami Valley.  Post time is 4:05 p.m. (EST).

(Miami Valley)