Lucky Lime, nicknamed ‘The Grinder’ in keeping with his racing style, wore down all his adversaries for driver Kyle Ater in the $15,500 Open Pace at Miami Valley on Saturday night -- despite a grueling first-over journey (the kind he appears to like!).

Speed Trap (Chris Page) allowed Gareth Nourrir (Tyler Smith) to briefly clear to the front before retaking control as the quickest leavers passed the quarter-mile marker in :27. By the halfway station in :55.3, Lucky Lime was out and moving with Virgil (Josh Sutton) in tow and the eight-horse field double-tiered from front to back.

Lacking a huge burst of speed, but with abundant determination, Lucky Lime inched closer with every stride until finally clearing to the front just past the 1:23.2 three-quarter station. Special Forces (Dan Noble) closed furiously through the stretch to finish second with Virgil garnering the show dough in the 1:52.3 mile. Midway down the lane, seven of the combatants still had a shot to win it, but it was Lucky Lime who displayed the most grit. The top seven finishers were all within two lengths at the wire.

Dean Glispie trains Lucky Lime, who has now won over $100,000 racing exclusively in Ohio over the past 13 months, for owner Kirk Nichols. The six-year-old son of Rocknroll Hanover sports a career bankroll of $232,030.

(Miami Valley)