One late closer got underway on Monday at Miami Valley and another got another step closer to completion.
The Omar Hiteman Memorial Series, for green pacing horses, kicked off in four $10,000 divisions; while the Survivor Series for $5000 claimers was reduced to 20 horses for the pair of semi-final events next Monday.
Winners in the Hiteman, all non-winners of two races or $20,000 prior to the nominations closing, were Gambler Panic (Jason Brewer, 1:55.1, $9.60), Hamsandwich (Trace Tetrick, 1:55.4, $2.10), Topville Rustler (Mike Peterson, 1:53.2, $18.60) and My Wish Came True (Brett Miller, 1:53.2, $6).
Following two preliminary legs, the highest money winners in the series will assemble for a $22,500 championship tilt on Feb. 22.
The Survivor Series, which started with 80 horses in eight divisions last Monday, was reduced from four divisions on Monday to two for next week’s elimination showdowns. The top five finishers in those races will assemble for a lucrative $20,000 final, also on Feb. 22.
The winners this week were Do Over Hanover (Tyler Smith, 1:53.3, $17.60), Montana Pablo A (Tetrick, 1:53.4, $2.60), Dakota Ole (Trevor Smith, 1:55.3, $5.20) and One Bad Night (Sam Widger, 1:54.2, $21).
Racing resumes at Miami Valley on Tuesday when the features will be a $22,500 Open Trot and a pair of $7,500 semi-final eliminations in the Survivor Series for $5,000 claiming mares. Post time is 2:05 p.m.
(Miami Valley Raceway)