Emeritus Maximus extended his winning streak to three straight thanks to his gutsy score in Thursday’s $27,500 Delaware Special Handicap for pacers at Dover Downs.
Yannick Gingras was parked with Emeritus Maximus through the first quarter in :25.4, but they eventually worked their way to the front and proceeded to chop out middle fractions of :54 and 1:21.2. A :28.1 closing quarter earned the Kyle Moore trainee the win by a neck over Sweet Rock in 1:49.3. Blazing Bobby Sox powered home late to be a lapped-on third.
Sent off as the 2-1 choice, Emeritus Maximus improved his 2017 record to 7-1-1 from 10 starts for owners Donald Marine and Brent Hall. It was the 21st lifetime tally for the career winner of $480,368.
Earlier on the card it was Major Uptrend front-stepping to a 1:49.4 score in the $20,000 Open Handicap for pacers. Montrell Teague mapped out the winning trip for the Tim Crissman trainee.
Major Uptrend was parked and driving at the quarter pole in :26.3, and once he cleared to the top he threw down fractions of :55 and 1:22.3 before finishing off his foes with a :27.1 final frame. He drew clear to win by 2-1/2 lengths over Jet Airway. Rockinonby grabbed the show dough.
Sent off as the 6-5 favourite, Major Uptrend pushed his winning streak to three-in-a-row for owner Mildred Ventriglio. The 28-time winner is closing in on $300,000 in career earnings.