Driver Greg Grismore rallied Alex Capital off cover in the final turn and the game pacer sprinted home to win the final of the Falcon Almahurst Series at Scioto Downs
on Saturday night. The mile was in 1:57.3 over a wet and slippery track as rains hit just prior to post time.
Resort Art, winner of her last two legs in the Falcon Almahurst series, set the fractions for driver Kayne Kauffman with favoured One Hot Yankee providing pressure on the outside during the middle half. Sitting in the pocket behind the leader was Northern Smoke Out. Grismore had Alex Capital positioned behind One Hot Yankee and when he tired with a quarter-mile remaining, Alex Capital launched a three-wide attack at the leader.
Once in the stretch, Northern Smoke Out moved into the passing lane and appeared to be a winner but Alex Capital was relentless in his rush. His margin was a half-length.
The winner is owned by Brian Tatham of Mt. Sterling, Ohio, and trained by John Tatham. It was the second win in three starts for the sophomore son of Capital Request.
Alex Capital was one of four winners for Greg Grismore.
The final of the Capital City Claiming Series went to Avenue A, a son of Artsplace who took his fourth straight win for driver J.D. Wengerd.
The 2-5 favourite hit the wire 1-1/2 lengths of his eight rivals as he came from off the pace to collar the leaders in the final quarter. Stubbysleisureguy was second and Nonsuit was third in the 1:57 effort.
Chris Short trains Avenue A for owner Phillip Short of Sidney, Ohio.
Standing Tough (1:56) and Look Yankee (1:55.4) took divisions of the first leg of the Billy Dart series.
(Scioto Downs)