Chase The Ace, by virtue of a dominant 1:53 win in the second and final preliminary leg, established herself as the favourite for next week’s $22,500 final of the Claim To Fame Series for $12,500 female pacers at Miami Valley.
In the final, the seven-year-old daughter of the Manitoba province sire Armbro Baylor will be racing for her third consecutive trainer.
Tyler George nominated Chase The Ace to the series and raced her in the first leg, resulting in a 4-3/4-length victory for driver Trace Tetrick. Claimed out of the race by trainer Charles Stewart, who entered her in leg two for new owner Zachary Surface, she responded -- again in rein to Tetrick -- with another dominant triumph over Satdnite Jukebox (Brett Miller) and Shes Magical (Sam Widger).
Willing to give Surface, the one week owner, a $4,500 profit (claiming prices were increased 30 per cent in the second leg), plus the $7,500 winner’s share of the $15,000 purse, trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. collared Chase The Ace via the claim box for $19,500 on behalf of himself and the Bottom Line Racing Stable.
As the only two-time winner in the pair of preliminary legs, Chase The Ace is a likely heavy favourite when the top nine earners in the series line-up Tuesday (Jan. 24) for their $22,500 final.
Others who qualified for the final are Shes Magical, Shesrockingwichita, Satdnite Jukebox, D Gs Elsa, Rockinattheryman, Im Rockin Country, My Lady Peg and Savemedasportspage.
Miami Valley races Sunday through Thursday weekly, with a 4 p.m. post time.
(Miami Valley Raceway)