Meadowbrookthunder thundered down the lane at Miami Valley Raceway on Saturday night (January 7) to cop the initial $22,000 Open I Pace of the season.

Stepping up to the top level following an impressive 1:51.1 score in a condition/$30,000 claiming event the final week at Dayton Raceway, Meadowbrookthunder got away sixth in a field of seven, but was out and moving for driver Trace Tetrick before the first quarter timer flashed :26.1. Tilted three-wide prior to the :54 halfway point, the four-year-old son of Rockin Image was fourth about four lengths off the leader. Just a length away from the leader at the 1:23 three-quarters, the eventual winner passed pacesetting Hickory Icon coming off the final bend and then held off fellow closers Vague Traces (Andy Shetler) and JDs Macca Lodge (Kayne Kauffman) for a 1:53 upset score.

Overlooked at 6-1, Meadowbrookthunder coupled with Vague Traces (34-1) and JDs Macca Lodge (8-1) to produce a $562.40 $2 trifecta. He is owned by Steve and Peggy Carter.

The $25,000 North American Drivers Challenge kicks off Sunday afternoon (2:05 p.m. post time), the first of three consecutive matinees to determine the inaugural champion, who will be awarded $10,000 of the $25,000 pot. A total of 30 of the winningest reinsmen on the continent will have four drives each on each of the first two programs, when the field will be whittled to the 10 top point-getters who will race head-to-head in eight races on Tuesday.

In a last minute development, Canadian Guy Gagnon had a border customs problem (no visa) and has been replaced by Andy Shetler, who won 108 dashes in 2016 and has notched 1,612 lifetime wins.

(Miami Valley Raceway)