Penn continued his domination of the Open trotting ranks in Dayton, Ohio on Sunday afternoon (Jan. 24) with an overpowering 1:57.1 triumph over a track rated ‘good’ due to a partial thaw during the matinee.

Despite racing on an every-other-week schedule, the six-year-old Master Glide gelding has remained razor sharp since showing up in southwest Ohio following the completion of the Hoosier Park meet in mid-November. Five of the nine classy trotters left the gate in the $20,000 feature event, including Penn, who was saddled with an assigned outside post position. Driver Josh Sutton pressed forward confidently until all the inside leavers settled, then crossed over to the front well past the quarter, which was reached in :27.2. Without the ability to take a second quarter breather due to immediate pressure from It Really Matters (Dan Noble), Penn stopped the middle teletimer beams in :56.3 and 1:25.3 before holding off a trio of closers in the lane. Boytown (LeWayne Miller) nosed out Martz Time (Trace Tetrick) for runner-up honours with Herbies Wildflower (Doug Rideout) racing creditably as the only mare in the full field finishing fourth. Bobby Brower trains Penn for owner Barkley Counts of Tennessee.

Four $17,500 preliminary divisions of Claim To Fame Series action for $20,000 claiming horses and geldings were also presented on Sunday with the results determining the finalists for the $35,000 championship race next week.

Winners were Bolero Andrew (Chris Page, 1:54.1), Double Dribble (Jeff Nisonger, 1:56.1), Blueridge Doc (Josh Sutton, 1:54.1) and Supreme Z Tam (LeWayne Miller, 1:56.1). That quartet will be joined by Major Marcus, Master Of Desire, Mr Dennis and M G Kid in the lucrative final, plus the winner of a random draw for the final spot between Johnny Come Lately, Mach To The Max, Machin Music and Montana Pablo A. A total of 45 nominees started in the series with five changing hands at the claim box during the first two legs.

(Miami Valley Raceway)