World Of Gaming and driver Dan Noble captured Tuesday afternoon’s $15,000 final of the Omar Hiteman Memorial Series at Miami Valley Raceway following a thrilling stretch duel with JDs Millitary Star and Branded Gun.
All three of the green geldings, who were non-winners of two pari-mutuel races or $15,000 as of the series nomination date, finished within one-half length of each other at the wire.
Favoured World Of Gaming got away fourth from the innermost post position, but was shuffled to fifth before moving into the outer flow prior to the half. Forced to tip three-wide and still fifth at the three-quarters, the sophomore son of World Of Rocknroll responded with an impressive final panel to earn the series championship in 1:55.3.
Off at even money on the tote board, owner Steve Sexton’s colt returned $4.20 to win. JDs Military Star, on the opposite end of the public’s confidence spectrum at 95-1 odds, got a pocket ride through all the early fractions and made the outcome very exciting with a nice closing kick after shaking loose halfway down the lane.
Three first leg divisions of the Dr. Dan Farwick Memorial Series went postward as well, featuring non-winners of six pari-mutuel races or $50,000 trotters.
Winners of the $12,500 splits were Honey B (Kyle Ater, 1:57.1, $10.60), Infiniti AS (Chris Page, 1:56.3, $2.80) and Tricky Nick (Randy Tharps, 1:57.3, $4.00).
Following two preliminary legs, the series will culminate with a $25,000 championship race on April 26.
(Miami Valley Raceway)