Sand Summerfield edged past even-money favourite Look Yankee after a perfect pocket trip to win the fastest division of the Billy Dart Series at Scioto Downs on Saturday night
. The 3-year-old Mantacular colt tripped the timer in 1:53.3
Driver Chris Page had Sand Summerfield moving alertly out of the gate and had Look Yankee parked after an opening quarter. Then Devan Miller forged her way to the front with Look Yankee and eased off the throttle in the second quarter.
Entering the stretch Sand Summerfield launched his attack. The two sophomore pacers dueled down the stretch with Sand Summerfield hitting the wire first by three-quarters of a length. Kid Cruiser was five lengths back in third. Sand Summerfield paid $22.40 to win.
Jim Arledge trains the winner for Bill Sanders of Tennessee. Sand Summerfield was one of three winners for Chris Page.
The other division of the Billy Dart Series went to Sams Slot Machine for trainer-driver Sandy Beatty in 1:54. He took the lead from heavy favorite Standing Tough in the opening half and never relinquished command. Standing Tough applied pressure in the latter stages of the race but Sams Slot Machine paced gamely to the wire to win by 1-1/4 lengths. Worker C rallied for third.
Sams Slot Machine is a son of Nobleland Sam and is out of a daughter of series honoree Billy Dart. The gelding is owned by C. Casto, Jr. of West Virginia.
The Open II Pace went to the 3-5 favourite Camcoder after Greg Grismore worked out a perfect trip behind the pacesetting Surf LA. Camcoder trailed until the stretch and then pulled away easily to hit the wire 4-1/4 lengths to the good. The time was 1:54.
Camcoder is trained by Robert Rogan for breeder-owner Tony Coder.
(Scioto Downs)