Miami Valley-Open dynamos Granite, My Hero Ron and track-record holder Nuclear Dragon fought one another in the $25,000 Open Pace on Saturday, Jan. 12, granting My Buddy Ninkster the opportunity to blow by them all and win in 1:51.3.
Driver Todd Warren placed My Buddy Ninkster fifth in the star-studded field as Granite stopped the first three splits in :26.4, :55.1 and 1:23.1. At that point Nuclear Dragon drew even with the leader and the pair raced in tandem around the final turn.
At the head of the lane, Warren swung My Buddy Ninkster three wide with My Hero Ron fanning wider. My Buddy Ninkster spewed more steam and hit the wire ahead of Nuclear Dragon with Granite and My Hero Ron also lapped on to the winner.
My Buddy Ninkster is no stranger to the Miami Valley winner's circle as he won several top events during the 2018 meet last winter, propelling him to $102,290 in seasonal earnings. The seven-year-old son of Dali won eight times last year and his first 2019 victory was his 35th overall.
Bob Phillips conditions the $450,000 earner for John and Mary Krasnican of Illinois. He paid $13.80 to win.
The opening prelim of the $20,000 Claim To Fame Series featured four divisions also contested on Saturday. Winning those were Latest Desire (Trace Tetrick, 1:50.2), Always A Fighter (Tetrick, 1:52.4), Vintage Grand (Warren, 1:52.3) and Fan Of Terror (Tetrick, 1:51). While seven horses were plucked via the claim box from the first leg, only Fan Of Terror changed barns among the winners.
Tetrick scored five wins on the program to run his total over the past two nights to nine. The defending Miami Valley dash champion’s other winners were Tyd The Glyde and Fools Desire in a pair of high conditioned paces.
Racing resumes at Miami Valley on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 2:05 p.m. The matinee features three divisions of the Claim To Fame Series opening leg for $30,000 male pacers and a $25,000 Open Trot.
(With files from Miami Valley)