The first leg of the Rootbeer Slammer Series, named after one of the most durable and popular open class pacers in the storied history of old Lebanon Raceway, was contested in two divisions on Wednesday night at Miami Valley Raceway.
Big Bear Bow pulled off a mild upset from the inside No. 1 post position in the first split; while Peck Blue Chip rewarded his backers, who made him the off-time favorite, with a win from the outside No. 8 post position in the second.
Driver Jeff Nisonger elected to let Big Bear Bow race fourth until pulling second over into the outer flow approaching the halfway point. The six-year-old gelding cleared Astronomer (Greg Grismore), who was the front-runner, just past the three-quarter station and cruised to the finish in 1:56 over the “good” track dampened by a steady cold drizzle. Astronomer held for second with One Last Chance (Josh Sutton) finishing a creditable third. It was the 11th career tally for Big Bear Bow, who returned $10.20 to win, and pushed his earnings over $30,000 for trainer Eddie Poling and his partner James Martin.
Reinsman Josh Sutton, who won five races on the program, set sail from the get-go with Peck Blue Chip, clearing to the front just past the quarter and holding all challengers at bay in 1:56.3. Navahoe (Andy Shetler) got the garden trip to finish second without seriously challenging the favoured winner, who returned $5.40 for a two dollar ticket. Skyway Titan (Ken Holliday) completed the trifiecta ticket. Peck Blue Chip’s lifetime statistics are now 16 wins and $147,823 banked. He is trained and owned by Tom Blankenship.
Jeremy Smith scored his 999th career victory behind JDs First Lady in the 11th race on the program. The 35-year-old Washington Court House, Ohio, native has eight drives on Thursday night’s 12-race program at Miami Valley. Post time is 6:30 p.m.
(Miami Valley)