A 35-1 longshot, Broadway Giant went from pillar to post to slay the featured trotters in $7,746 conditioned race at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday, Nov. 16, lighting up the tote board in the process.
Driven by Wally Watson, Broadway Hall took matters into his own hands and scurried to the front as soon as the wings folded, easily grabbing the point before the eighth pole. Valyrian Steel (Drew Campbell) was stuck on the outside heading down the backstretch and forced himself into the three-hole, while Inquiring Mind (Dave Ingraham) stuck close to the leaders helmet into the :28.3 opening panel.
The first to move into the outer flow was High Gear No Fear (Nick Graffam), who was reluctantly followed by 1-2 favourite Buddy Earl (Steve Wilson). Just past the 1:00.1 softer half, Drew Campbell ducked into the second-over gap with Valyrian Steel.
On the outside through the 1:29.2 third panel, High Gear No Fear battled neck-and-neck with Broadway Giant, with the favoured Buddy Earl three-wide around the final turn. As the field turned for home, there were five horses across the racetrack with less than a length separating them as the finish.
Broadway Giant maintained his composure and the advantage to win by half a length in 2:01.1 over High Gear No Fear. Valyrian Steel finished third.
Owned and trained by Ron Patione, the 10-year-old Broadway Hall gelding earned his seventh win of the season in 25 starts and his 35th lifetime victory, now boasting earnings of $$191,085.
The longshot returned $72.60 for a $2 win ticket.
Driver McGwire Sowers enjoyed a grand slam on the program and Drew Campbell picked up another three winners, edging him to within 20 wins of the 6,000 career victory plateau.
Trainer Autym Robinson had three victories on the card while Kim Vafiades and Dalton Lee each picked up a pair.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)