Miami Fair hosted two divisions for the opening preliminary of The Golden Boy Series and a lone split for the Silk Lace opener on its 12-race card Saturday (July 23).
Emmetts Buddy charged from last to land as the odds-on favourite in the first division of The Golden Boy. Driver Michel Rey took back with the Arthur Rey homebred while George M set a clip of :30.4, 1:03.3 and 1:34 on the point. Rey moved with Emmetts Buddy passing the half and caught brief cover to the far turn from Major Spin before firing three high for the stretch drive. The In The Irons colt swooped the field to finish a half length better than George M in a 2:06.1 mile. Jimmysinthehouse closed for third and pocket-sitter Beyond The Budget held fourth.
Undefeated in three starts, Emmetts Buddy has now banked $5,466. He paid $2.90 to win.
Overcoming a break in stride to the quarter, Jay Dees Scooter kicked from off the speed to win the second Golden Boy division, giving trainer Travis Ellis one of his five wins on the day. The colt by Youshouldseemenow skipped a step and raced last past a :32.3 first quarter while Missis Little Bozo strolled uncontested then to a 1:05 half. Driver Blake Piwniuk pulled off the pegs with Jay Dees Scooter up the backside and followed the first-over advance by AK Up N Attem to three-quarters in 1:36.1. AK Up N Attem overtook Missis Little Bozo coming for home, but Piwniuk powered off cover with Jay Dees Scooter and slid to victory by 1-1/4 lengths in 2:06.2. Missis Little Bozo faded with broken equipment to be third, another four lengths behind, with Prince Of Bailair taking fourth.
Jay Dees Scooter has now won three races from nine starts and earned $6,309 for owner-breeder J. David Mooney. The $5.40 winner was the second of Travis Ellis’ five victors, with the conditioner having won in the opener with Cartiere ($15.40) and later in the day with JKs Lifesaver ($4.90), Two To Ten ($8.10) and West Coast Beach ($25.70).
In the single split of the Silk Lace, Marc Fillion trainee Sassy Libby led at every step to register a 2:03.4 victory. The daughter of Andreoli Hanover cleared control with the break of pylon-starter This Girl Rules and led unchallenged through fractions of :30.1, 1:02.1 and 1:33. Bitsnbites then pulled from third to the final turn and loomed nearer to the pacesetter, but Sassy Libby turned her aside and scooted to a 1-1/2-length win. Skys Little Spunk finished third, beaten 19 lengths, with pocket-sitter Fall Out Girl taking fourth.
Marc Filion co-owns Sassy Libby with Aurel Vodon and driver Don Howlett. She won her third race from 11 starts and has now earned $9,857. She paid $3 to win.
Trainer Mathew Howlett swept the Open events as part of a three-win day. His four-year-old Rollwithitharry gelding Woodmere Alvin ($4.10) cruised through a clip of :29.3, 1:01 and 1:30.3 to win his 15th race from 50 starts and push his earnings to $82,785 in clocking a 2:00 mile and winning the $4,200 Horses & Geldings Open Pace by a nose over pocket-sitter Helter Skelter.
In the $4,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace, Heavenly Evelyn ($2.40) rolled first over after stalking splits of :29.1 and :59.4 to advance toward the lead through three-quarters in 1:29.1 and collar pacesetter Pure Addition by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:59.4. Don Howlett drove and co-owns both winners, sharing Woodmere Alvin with Blair Kidd and Heavenly Evelyn with Kidd and Dwayne Taylor. The seven-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven mare won her 10th race from 91 starts and padded her account to $60,013.
Whatstrublnudragon ($11) began the training hat trick for Howlett, winning a $3,200 pace going gate to finish in 2:10.3.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Miami Fair.