Walter White not only stepped back into the Open trotting ranks on Sunday afternoon (April 15) at Miami Valley, but he stepped right to the head of the class.
The six-year-old son of Cantab Hall took advantage of an inside post draw, which resulted in a close-up, ground-saving journey and a tiring rain-soaked racing surface that took its toll on front-stepping Ladys Dude and made it difficult for other closers.
With new driver Dan Noble at the controls, Walter White found room to split rivals in deep stretch and garner the winner’s share of the $25,000 Open Trot purse in 1:55.1. Another Breath (Chris Lems) was the runner-up with longshot Jesses Promise (Aaron Merriman) rallying for a show finish. Elmo Blatch (Tylor Lough), who entered the Open for the first time with a seven-race win streak, responded with a valiant first-over effort — actually getting a neck lead in midstretch — before fading to fourth. Ladys Dude held on for the final cheque in the nine-horse field.
Walter White was the fourth consecutive different Open Trot winner at Miami Valley.
Jim Eaton trains the winner for Robert Silberberg. Walter White now owns 19 lifetime wins and has earned $422,071.
Miami Valley will present a Monday (April 16) matinee at 2:05 p.m. featuring the $40,000 James K. Hackett Memorial series championship for Ohio-sired three-year-old trotting fillies.
(Miami Valley Raceway)