Like ageless wonder Tom Brady and the world’s finest wines, a lot of good harness horses seem to get better when they should be past their prime. The current Miami Valley Claim To Fame Series for $20,000 horses and geldings is a prime example.
Of the three first-leg divisions totaling 25 horses, 10 were 10-years-old or older. Eight of the veteran pacers have eclipsed the 30 wins plateau, while the other pair have 29 and 19 victories.
The double-digit aged stalwarts almost swept the three divisions, with two of them winning and a third narrowly defeated—by a nine-year-old!
American Virgin scored over Rock Solid Image and Lucifers Legend A in the first split. The 10-year-old Always A Virgin gelding’s lifetime scoreboard now reads 226 starts with 41 wins, 42 seconds and 32 thirds good for $754,718 in purse earnings. Tyler Smith drove the $18.40 winner to a 1:54.3 mile.
Not to be outdone, 12-year-old Major Bucks and driver Trace Tetrick captured the second division, narrowly defeating 10-year-old Evergreen Elite in 1:54. Shanghai Bobby was next across the line. The winning son of Art Major now sports a career scoreboard of 36-48-59 in 299 starts. Entered by leading trainer Tyler George, Major Bucks will make his next start for Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, who purchased him via the claim box.
Owner William Cantrell and trainer Jeff Brewer, who campaign American Virgin, got a second series victory with nine-year-old Highlandbeachycove (Tyler Smith, 1:52.4) who nipped Hawk’s Red Chief at the beam. Youngster Tick’s A Yankin (age 5) secured the show share of the $20,000 purse.
Other veteran racehorses who competed in the $20,000 claiming series were Cantescapemydesire (age 10, 32 wins, $234,385 in earnings), Sportskeeper (age 10, 32 wins, $566,991), Armaboybluechipboy N (age 10, 19 wins, $230,432), Fools Desire (age 10, 37 wins, $377,017), Vegas Rocks (age 10, 43 wins, $390,646) and Rangers Sureshot (age 11, 48 wins, $483,971).
Racing resumes Wednesday (Feb. 2) at Miami Valley. Post time is 4:05 p.m. (EST).
(Miami Valley)