Despite being hounded steadily through the middle half, ICR Racing's Champagne Phil ($4.80) held his ground and powered away to a 2-1/2-length win in Sunday's (July 18) featured $5,800 Preferred 3 Pace at Clinton Raceway.
The 11-year-old Shanghai Phil gelding and trainer-driver Ken Oliver protected the lead from their pole position and rated a :29.1 first quarter before pressure arrived in the form of the first-over Easton Beach (George Ketros) nearing the :58.3 half. Champagne Phil kept his outside rival a length at bay past three-quarters in 1:28.3 and through the home turn before dismissing him in upper stretch, sprinting away to post the 45th win of his career in 1:58.1. Easton Beach narrowly held second over Cullen Keefe N (Lorne House), who rallied out of traffic belatedly.
To view Sunday's complete results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Clinton Raceway.