Trainer Steve Carter led the charge on the day Monday (Feb. 23) at Miami Valley Raceway, scoring a trio of victories headlined by Captain Majestic in the $30,137 non-winners of 10 to be claimed pacing feature.
After Carter teamed up with driver Brett Miller to take the opener with Incredible Man ($2.20, 1:52.3), the combo was back at it in the fourth with Captain Magestic, who was a 2-1 second choice in the feature.
Captain Magestic quickly found a seat in the pocket behind 8-5 favourite Lou Vuitton (Chris Page) as the duo raced by the opening quarter in :27. Captain Magestic continued to draft along in second through the half in :55.3 before racing as a pinned-in third at three-quarters in 1:24.2 while Lou Vuitton took pressure from a first-over Checkers Legacy (Jeremy Smith). Waiting for the passing lane turning for home, Captain Magestic surged inside the favourite to snag the victory in the final strides by a neck in 1:53.2. Checkers Legacy held sway for the third position after his first-up bid.
Captain Magestic, a four-year-old gelded son of Captain Crunch-Magestic Blue Chip, is owned by Caldwell Mamie Racing of Bellaire, Ohio. The victory was a third straight and sixth lifetime for the now career six-figure earner.
Dune Buggy (pictured above), fresh off a claim and making his second start for new trainer Steve Carter, was sent off as the favourite for the second week in a row as he finished off the Carter hat-trick.
His trip both last week and Monday were almost identical, as Brett Miller was able to get away third off the gate through a quarter in :28. Just before the half in :56.3, Dune Buggy was pulled first-over to begin his challenge of leader Coltons Charm (Trace Tetrick), drawing even down the backside before eventually putting a head in front at the three-quarters in 1:25. Coltons Charm wasn't giving up without a fight as he edged back into the lead as the field turned for home. In the stretch, the pair duelled, exchanging leads but at the wire in 1:53.4, Dune Buggy wore down a game Coltons Charm to win by a neck. Vel Im On It (Cameron McCown) closed for third.
Also owned by Caldwell Mamie Racing, the winning four-year-old Huntsville-Dune In Red gelding notched his first win of the year after a second and third-place finish the previous two weeks.
Racing resumes on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m.
(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)