Dabestleaderever ran his win streak to five on Saturday night at Miami Valley capturing the $16,500 Open Handicap Pace in 1:53, despite 14 degree (Fahrenheit) temperatures and wind gusts reaching 40 miles an hour.
Although the winner has raced for three different owners and trainers during his current win streak, one constant has been driver Dan Noble in the sulky for all five scores.
With last week’s winner Mykindachip scratched from the field, Dabestleaderever and Ice Scraper inherited the favourite roles and didn’t disappoint. They sped to the quarter pole in :26.4 with Ice Scraper finally crossing to the pylons for reinsman Josh Sutton. The duo stayed that way, with the others struggling to keep up, through middle fractions of :55 and 1:23.4. The winner pulled briefly on the pacesetter with over a quarter-mile to go, but retreated back to the pylons and waited until the homestretch for one final gallant try. It proved to be the right strategy as Dabestleaderever stuck a nose in front of Ice Scraper in the final stride. Speed Trap (Chris Page) was best of the rest to grab the show spot.
A Piece Of The Action Stable LLC plucked the eight-year-old Cambest gelding from a $20,000 claiming event a week ago and got an instant $8,250 dividend with the win. George Anthrop is the current trainer of the horse that has also been in the Jim Ellison and Virgil Morgan Jr. stables during the impressive win streak.
The first leg of the Sovereign Warrior Series for pacers who are non-winners of $1,200 per start in 2014-15 was also presented on Saturday night.
The first $9,000 split was won by ER Zach Attach (Tyler Smith) in an upset over Why Dont U Say (Chris Page) and Tough Chip (Dan Noble) in 1:55. Trent Stohler trains and co-owns the winner with partners Benjamin and Tim Graber. Dispatched at 32-1 odds, ER Zach Attack paid $66 to win with the $2 exacta in the race returning $293.20.
Lucky Crusader (Josh Sutton) captured the second $9,000 division in 1:55.1, besting Ideal Race (Chris Page) and Ally Con (Greg Grismore). Alex Adam trains and co-owns the winner with William Rodosky Jr. As the 8-5 favourite, Lucky Crusader paid $5.40 and was the top half of a $27.20 exacta.
Racing resumes Sunday at Miami Valley with a 3:00 p.m. post time. A special President’s Day matinee program will also be presented on Monday, beginning at 3:00 p.m.
(Miami Valley)