The first legs of another pair of Claim To Fame series highlighted the Sunday (Jan. 10) matinee at Miami Valley Raceway. Four splits of $30,000 claiming pacers went postward as well as a pair of $10,000 claiming trot divisions.
Quickest of the four winners among the high-priced pacers was Voracity (Trace Tetrick, $2.80), who sped to a 1:51.3 won. The eight-year-old son of Sportsmaster was one of five horses collared via the claim box by new owners, but the only one that was victorious in Leg 1. Horses in the second leg will race for purses enhanced 30 percent, to $29,000. The finalists will race for a $37,500 purse on January 24.
Other series winners were So So Delightful (Trevor Smith, 1:52, $6.80), Secret Threat (Tetrick, 1:52.3, $3.60) and Venom (Tyler Smith, 1:54, $13.80).
Windsun Missile (Dan Noble, 1:57.2, $4) was quickest of the two $10,000 claiming trot winners. The other split went to Master Of Excuses (Sam Widger, 1:58, $12).
A total of six trotters were claimed, but the two divisional winners were not among them. The square-gaiters will chase $13,000 purses next week, then battle for a $20,000 purse on January 24.
Miami Valley races on a five days a week schedule with 2:05 p.m. (EST) matinees on Sunday through Tuesday; and 4:05 p.m. (EST) twilight cards on Friday and Saturday.
(Miami Valley Raceway)