Just A Passenger was crowned champion of the Ray Paver Sr. Memorial Series on Tuesday (March 10) at Miami Valley Raceway after topping Quick N Balanced and Forget It Im Crazy in 1:54.1.
The winning four-year-old son of Cayenne Turbo endured a first-over journey pressuring front stepper Feel Invincible AS through the middle half mile before finally clearing past the three-quarters and sailing to a comfortable three-length victory.
The win in the $25,000 event was the sixth of Just A Passenger’s career, but fourth of 2020 for the Burke Brigade. Chris Page sat in the sulky.
A $25,000 Open Handicap Trot was also contested with Majestic Player A continuing his domination of the weekly feature. Following a week off, the recent Australian import extended his win streak to four despite being assigned post 9. Racing fourth most of the mile, the 3-5 favourite swung three wide around the final bend and scored handily in 1:52.4. Party At The Banks followed the winning six-year-old gelding throughout but couldn’t collar him in the stretch. No Whip Chip made a first-over bid during the third quarter but had to settle for third in the end.
Junior Haynes trains Majestic Player A for Jeffrey Fought, Brian Carsey and Casey Myers.
Fans were treated to an endurance test and a dash on Tuesday as well. In the one-and-a-quarter mile race for mid-range condition pacers, Manny (Noble) landed in front in the final 50 yards to beat Dont Say Goodby and Anoche in 2:25.3. Trainer Peter Redder and partner Wilfong Racing own the seven-year-old son of American Ideal who now has 22 wins in 140 starts. Dan Noble sat in the bike.
The five-eighths mile dash for $8,000 claimers produced a major upset when Thats Some Plan held off New Patrol and Khan Blue Chip in 1:09.4. The nine-year-old Somebeachsomewhere son paid $43.80 for his first win in five 2020 tries Dennis Putnam trains the dash victor for the Paradise Racing Stable while Kayne Kauffman held the reins.
(Miami Valley Raceway)