Pine Dream notched his first victory of the 2019 season on Sunday, Jan. 27 at Miami Valley Raceway, copping the Open Trot in 1:55.3.
Driver Aaron Merriman got away third with the winner until the quarter was reached in :28.3, but got shuffled to fourth along the pylons at the :57.1 midway juncture and then fifth when passing the three quarters marker in 1:26.2. Finding racing room around the final turn, Pine Dream moved to the outer flow and then swung wide for the stretch drive. With a :29 final panel, the seven-year-old son of Pinetucky swept past show finisher Primed N Powerful, runner-up All About Cowboys and tiring longshot pacesetter Sweet Mr Pinetucky to secure victory.
It was the twelfth win in 35 starts over the last year and ballooned Pine Dream’s life bounty to $210,000. Kelly Chupp trains him for the Chupp Racing Stable Inc. On a day when favourites dominated the mutuel results, Pine Dream paid $10.80. Coupled with All About Cowboys the exacta returned $74.40; while a 50-cent trifecta including Primed N Powerful was worth $166.75.
The $20,000 Open II Trot went to Boffin and driver Elliott Deaton, who disposed of Classic Venture and Pridecrest in 1:57.1.
Three divisions of the Claim To Fame series for $30,000 horses finally were contested after back-to-back Sunday weather cancellations at Miami Valley. Prohibitive-favourite Coal Hanover and Dan Noble won the first split by five lengths in 1:53.3 over a sloppy track caused by intermittent freezing and thawing for several days. Indiana Cam and Swapportunity were next to cross the line. Coal Harbor had nine claims entered on him and will race next for new trainer Steve Crist.
J M Jet Set, also driven by Noble, finished a neck better than Backstreet Lawyer and Verdad in the second division, clocked in 1:55. In the final heat, Cyclone Kiwi N won a narrow decision in 1:55.2. Prejudice moved up to second, via disqualification from an interference call in the final quarter, while Given Up Terror was moved up to third.
Racing at Miami Valley resumes Monday, Jan. 28 with a pair of Claim To Fame Series championships highlighting the card. $8,000 claiming mares will chase a $17,500 purse and $15,000 trotters will vie for a $27,500 bounty. Post time is 2:05 p.m.
(Miami Valley Raceway)