Longshots prevailed in the first leg of the “Claim To Fame” series for $30,000 claimers at Miami Valley Raceway on Sunday afternoon (January 15).

Three divisions of 10 horses went to the gate chasing first leg purses of $25,000 and earnings towards a spot in the $37,500 (est.) final in two weeks. The $2 win ticket payoffs in the three highly-competitive divisions were $32.20, $75.00 and $8.40.

Cosmicpedia (Kayne Kauffman) copped the first heat in 1:54, topping Stormy West (Tyler Smith) and Prince Bayard (Chris Page). The nine-year-old son of Four Starzzz Shark, dispatched at odds of 15-1, now sports 29 career wins and over $340,000 in lifetime earnings. He is owned by John McGill and Brian Carsey and conditioned by Walter Haynes Jr.

Speed Trap (Mike Oosting) upset Sir Mammo (Randy Tharps) and Rocknroll Jewel (Jason Brewer) in 1:53.3, despite going off at odds of 36-1. Owner Perry Smith has entrusted the training of the six-year-old son of United Ace to Steve Bauder since sending the horse to Ohio. The gelding now has 13 wins and almost $225,000 on his card.

Sonofa Sizzle (Kayne Kauffman) captured the quickest division, topping Dalhousie Dave (Simon Allard) and Rock Out (Tyler Smith) in 1:53.1. Still a stud, the five-year-old son of Life Sizzles has accumulated 17 wins and over $300,000 in his relatively short career. Danny Dubeansky is his trainer for owner Carl Atley.

While there were five successful claims in the first leg of the $30,000 series, none of the three winners changed hands via the claim box. Next week all entrants will carry a base $37,500 tag. The nine finalists the third week, when there will be no claiming, will be those horses with the most earnings in the first two legs. Ties for the final spot(s) will be broken by a random draw by the judges.

Racing resumes Monday afternoon at Miami Valley with a 2:05 p.m. post time. Featured will be first leg “Claim To Fame” action for both $8,000 pacing mares and $8,000 trotters, each in two divisions.

(Miami Valley Raceway)