The claim box at Miami Valley has been very busy of late, due largely to the eight ‘Claim To Fame’ late-closing series for various gaits, sexes and tag amounts currently underway throughout the week.
On just Wednesday and Thursday alone, 16 horses changed ownership hands in first-leg action.
Thursday's action included three divisions for $8,000 male claiming pacers and two divisions for $12,500 female claiming pacers.
In the first $8,000 split, TSM Gabby Warbucks (driven by Kayne Kauffman) stole the show with a 1:55 score at odds of 34-1, beating Jackson Wyatt (Brad Hanners) and Bazinga (Randy Tharps). Rockaholic (Josh Sutton) was victorious in the second division clocking 1:53.4 to best Mythic Art (Brad Hanners) and Toledo Bend Gator (Dan Noble). The third division was captured by Royal Cam Hall (Brad Hanners) in 1:54 over Creighton Hanover (Josh Sutton) and Martydaonemanparty (Jeff Nisonger).
A total of four horses were collared via claim from the three races – Mythic Art, Heavenly Beaches, Orse Power and Creighton Hanover.
Carlina Hanover (Kayne Kauffman) managed a come-from-behind 1:54 victory in the first $12,500 mares’ race. She topped Shes Lovin It (Greg Grismore) and Ella V Horse. The second division went to Schmatie (Dan Noble) in 1:53.2, besting Diamond Amber (Josh Sutton) and Medoland Lindeylou (Shawn Barker II). Both Ella V Horse and Whistle Pig found new homes via the claim box.
Horses will carry claiming prices 10 per cent higher than the first leg base in the second round, followed by lucrative championship finals during the last week of January.
(Miami Valley)