The quarter-finals of the Survivor Series for male $5,000 claimers were contested Monday afternoon at Miami Valley Raceway, reducing the original 91 horse field of starters to just 18 for the semi-finals next week.

Ten divisions of first round contestants were reduced to four fields of nine (36) for Monday's action with half (18) advancing to the third round, comprised of two nine-horse fields with the top finishers advancing to the $20,000 championship on February 1.

The top four finishers, plus the two fastest fifth place finishers, earned the right to continue. Despite temperatures hovering around ten degrees, accompanied by a zero degree wind chill factor, the Survivor Series action in the four $6,000 purse eliminations was heated.

Nothingbutmach (Tyler Smith) sped to the fastest win of the four divisions when he dominated the first split in 1:53.3 to win by open lengths. Next across the line were Royal Meeting (John DeLong), Wounded Warrior (Jeremy Smith), Dusto (Dan Noble) and K Rs Cruiser (Trace Tetrick), who was the fastest fifth place finisher of the day to earn the right to advance.

Sammy Storm (Tyler Smith) captured the second elimination in 1:56.3, topping I Got My Wish (Trace Tetrick), Peck Blue Chip (Andy Shetler), Lol Ken Win (Jeremy Smith) and Brown Titan (LeWayne Miller), who snatched the last advancement ticket by virtue of his 1:56.3 fifth place finish.

Become Legendary (Josh Sutton) and Change Your Luck (Dan Noble) couldn't be separated by the photo finish camera and dead-heated for win in the third split. They were followed by fellow advancees Back At Cha (Tyler Smith) and Winchester (John DeLong).

Meersburg (Kayne Kauffman) was victorious in the fourth and final elimination, beating Milliondollar Art (Chris Page), Straight Dancer (Tyler Smith) and R M Imp (Andy Shetler).

Ten horses were claimed for $5,000 in first round action and four were re-claimed for $6,000 in the second. In next week's third round, just the four horses claimed on Monday will be available at the claim box, but for $7,200 tags. Final elimination round purses will be $7,500.

The Tuesday matinee program at Miami Valley, which starts at 2:05 p.m. will feature four companion Survivor Series challenges for fillies and mares.

(with files from Miami Valley)