After near misses in four consecutive starts recently in Miami Valley's Open Trot, driver John DeLong piloted Walter White to a 1:54.3 victory in the Sunday afternoon feature on February 18.
Springing off the starting gate to the top, DeLong and Walter White prepared to wire the field. Coasting through fractions of :27.4, :58 and 1:25.4, the winner maintained a one- to two-length lead throughout. Cantab Lindy parlayed a pocket ride into a runner-up finish, while Deep Question benefited from an inside post and forward ground-saving position to grab third. Sandys Victory, last week’s gate-to-wire winner, rallied for fourth following a first-over endeavor.
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Jim Eaton trains Walter White, a six-year-old who now boasts 17 wins lifetime and close to $400,000 in earnings, for owner Robert Silberberg. He paid $8.20 to win.
Note to horsemen: In an effort to fill the Ray Paver Sr. Memorial late closer, the entry deadline has been extended to Wednesday morning (Feb. 21), the day of the draw for the first leg, which will be contested on Monday, Feb. 26.
Series conditions have been altered to fit non-winners of four (mares five) pari-mutuel races or $40,000 lifetime. If enough nominations are still not received, the race will be contested as a single overnight event for a $12,000 purse.
(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)