Pacing the quickest mile of the meet at Miami Valley Raceway, Granite took the $25,000 Open Handicap on Saturday, Jan. 26 in 1:50 with Brett Miller in the bike.
The six-year-old son of Real Desire and Miller got away fifth but did not see the pylons for much of the mile. The pair followed Nuclear Dragon in the outer flow through a :26.2 opening panel and then were forced to face the elements first up when Nuclear Dragon cleared to the front prior to the :54.1 midway point.
Pressing the pacesetter past a 1:21.2 third quarter, Granite took the helm into the stretch, holding off hard-charging My Buddy Ninkster and Nuclear Dragon at the finish.
Sent at 7-1, Granite is trained by Ken Rucker for The Panhellenic Stable Corporation and rapidly approaches the $400,000 earnings plateau.
Three divisions for the Claim To Fame second prelim were also contested among $20,000 claimers racing for $26,000 tags, a 30% price enhancement following leg one two weeks ago.
Winners, despite missing a week of racing due to a weather cancellation at Miami Valley last Saturday, were Artsmah (Josh Sutton, 1:52.4, $18.80 to win), Fan Of Terror (Trace Tetrick, 1:52, $2.80) and Denslow Hanover (Chris Page, 1:51.4, $9.80). All three advance to the $32,500 championship next week where they will be joined by fellow finalists Always A Fighter, Latest Desire, Vintage Grand, Gypsy Leather, Valiant Ivy and Whiskey Friskie.
(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)