Reinsman Don Howlett and conditioner Mathew Howlett had a productive afternoon at the Miami Fair on Saturday (July 16) with Don steering five winners, Mathew training three and the pair teaming among those to win the $4,200 Open Pace with Woodmere Alvin.
Scoring from post 3, Woodmere Alvin settled in third while Gray Zee set a tempo of :31, 1:03 and 1:34.2. Moving to three-quarters, Don Howlett made his move with the four-year-old Rollwithharry gelding and attacked the pacesetter from first over into the final turn. Woodmere Alvin then charged for home to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Helter Skelter closing for second. Appoggiatura rode the pocket but finished third as Gray Zee faded to last of the four.
Don Howlett co-owns Woodmere Alvin with Blair Kidd. He won his fifth race from 10 starts this season and his 12th from 49 overall, good for $80,685 in earnings. He paid $4.20 to win.
The Howlett team also won in the first race with Whatstrublnudragon ($5) and much later in the card with Ima Momas Boy ($17.60). Don's other two driving wins came with Dont Rock The Boat ($11.70) and Cereal Killer ($4.50).
In the $4,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace, Pure Addition overcame a slow start to land at the finish first in 2:03.1. The six-year-old Riverboat King mare raced fifth by 10 lengths as Sheslikefinewine sped to a :28.4 first quarter before throttling toward a 1:01 half. As the pace cooled, driver Tyler Grundy pulled Pure Addition first over and rolled to take over the lead by three-quarters in 1:32.2. Heavenly Evelyn mounted a three-wide bid around the final turn but Pure Addition held her ground and kept three-quarter lengths to the good while Good Day Is Coming finished third another six lengths behind.
Jacqueline Grundy trains Pure Addition for owner Aurel Vodon. The mare won her 11th race from 16 tries this season and her 30th from 79 overall and has now earned $116,609. She paid $6.20 to win.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Miami Fair.