Two additional fields of Claim To Fame Series finalists were determined during the frigid cold Monday matinee at Miami Valley Raceway.
In the split for $8,000 claiming mares, driver Trace Tetrick guided both Maggies Way and Dollys Girl to convincing victories to cement their spots in the $17,500 championship leg next Monday.
Maggies Way topped Turnitdownforwatt (Josh Sutton) and Desires Lady (Brett Miller) in 1:55.1, returning $6.60 for a $2 win ticket. Robert Ward trains the six-year-old daughter of Dream Away for owner Gerald Mijal.
Dollys Girl tripped the timer in 1:55.3 for her second straight series triumph, besting Beautiful Brew (Sutton) and Bad Glamour Girl (Dan Noble). Rhonda Manship owns the seven-year-old lass by Dali and Pat Melloy, Jr. is her conditioner. The likely favourite in next week’s final paid $4.60 to win.
The nine finalists, in order of their preliminary leg earnings, are Dollys Girl, Maggies Way, Susies Soul, Beautiful Brew, Turnitdownforwatt, Bad Glamour Girl, Carries Desire, Endeavors Lady Luck and Luna Hanover.
Fleet Bumblebee (Todd Warren) and longshot Nohillforaclimber (Tetrick) copped the pair of final preliminary legs for $15,000 claiming trotters. The championship field will chase a purse of $27,500 next week.
Fleetbumblebee, claimed by new owner Denise Maier from the first leg of the series, proved to be an astute acquisition. The seven-year-old son of Pinetucky, trained by Tim Maier, downed Naut E Caviar (John DeLong) and Herbie Hammer (Josh Sutton) in 1:58. He paid $6.60 to win.
Nohillforaclimber tracked down favourites Undercover Strike (Kayne Kauffman) and Mikey Hanover (Brett Miller) in 1:57, returning a whopping $56.20 to his discerning mutuel backers. The five-year-old gelded son of Muscle Hill is a recent purchase by Amy Loney, whose husband Dale serves as trainer.
Square gaiters who will compete for the generous purse next Monday are Fleet Bumblebee, Mikey Hanover, Nohillforaclimber, Sarah Gator, Undercover Strike, Naut E Caviar, Winwood Scout, Guidas Geisha and Herbie Hammer.
Racing resumes Tuesday afternoon at Miami Valley with two preliminary splits of $12,500 claiming mares and five divisions for male $8000 claiming pacers. Post time is 2:05 p.m.
(Miami Valley Raceway)