Special Select led most of the mile and Beelzebub used a pocket trip to upset at 31-1 in the co-featured $30,137 conditioned claiming events for pacers at Miami Valley Raceway on Monday, Feb. 16.

Special Select and driver Atlee Bender floated out from the gate and allowed a couple of early tussles to settle before moving to the front past an opening quarter of :27.3. Heading to the half, Checkers Legacy (Jeremy Smith) pulled first-over but was still a full length and half off at the half in :57.3. Checkers Legacy continued to pull ever closer, getting to within a half of Special Select at the three-quarters in 1:25.2. Around the final turn, Checkers Legacy continued with the pressure as Odds On Mad Hatter (Luke Hanners) tipped out three-wide and pocket-sitting race favourite Rockinpoppin (Chris Page) bided his time. Down the stretch, Special Select maintained his length advantage while a six-horse duel for second developed behind him, and he eventually held off the challengers to win in 1:54 by a neck. Checkers Legacy held second, while Rockinpoppin finished third.

The win was the third in the last four starts for Special Select and his first since joining the non-winners of 10 ranks for trainer Erv Miller. The four-year-old gelded son of Tall Dark Stranger-Katie Said is owned by Ervin Miller Stable Inc. of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania and Douglas Overhiser of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, along with D And M Trading Ii Llc and John Stefanos of Orland Park, Illinois.

In the second division, Beelzebub (pictured above) left from post two to protect the inside position for trainer/driver Kayne Kauffman , eventually giving way to 2-5 favourite Charge Me Up (David Miller) past a quick opening quarter of :26.4. Charge Me Up got a little breather as he led the field unchallenged through a half in :56. A long first-over drive from Keayang Taco A (Trace Tetrick) materialized but only got to about a length and three-quarters of leader Charge Me Up as they passed three-quarters in 1:23.3. As they turned for home, Charge Me Up continued to show the way but drifted in deep stretch which allowed just enough racing room for Beelzebub to sneak up the rail and win by a half-length in 1:53. Charge Me Up finished second while Keayang Taco A grinded it out for third.

The win was the first of the year for Beelzebub, his 10th lifetime and the first since moving into the Kauffman barn. The five-year-old Sweet Lou-Shezarealdeal gelding is owned by Lavern Yoder and Orva Bontrager Jr. of Goshen, Indiana, along with Janie Hartley of Richmond, Indiana and Davy Lehman of Middlebury, Indiana.

Driver Tyler Smith had a hat trick on the 14-race card, while Kayne Kauffman, David Miller and Trace Tetrick all recorded doubles. Jason Brewer had a training double.  

Racing will return on Tuesday, Feb. 17 with a post time of 4 p.m.

(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)