Trainer Travis Ellis continues to reign over the Miami Fair grounds with another dynamite day on the 12-race card Saturday (Aug. 27), winning six including the featured $24,276 Manitoba Futurity with his Mystery Chase colt Irish Melvin.
Irish Melvin landed on the lead in the Futurity and took the field by the quarter in :30. Blake Piwniuk rated his charge on the point through a 1:00.1 half and through three-quarters in 1:30.1 while encountering minimal pressure. He then peeled clear of the competition coming for home to post a 6-1/2-length win in 2:00.2 over odds-on choice Emmetts Buddy. This Girl Rules finished third and pocket-sitter Major Spin faded to fourth.
A homebred for J. David Mooney, Irish Melvin won his fourth race from six starts and has now banked $20,910. He paid $6.60 to win.
Ellis’s other five wins came in undercard events. His first visit to the winner’s circle came with Gray Zee ($2.40 to win) before taking the Manitoba Futurity. Cartiere ($4.50) gave Ellis another picture followed by wins from Sheslikefinewine ($4.30), West Coast Beach ($2.80) and Two To Ten ($6.60).
Andys Treasure opened the card with a 2:03.3 victory in the $10,400 Kindergarten Stake. Driver Tyler Grundy sat patiently with his Andreoli Hanover filly as AK Nite Lady pressed for the lead after breaking stride to a :30.1 first quarter. AK Nite Lady landed on the front to a 1:01 half and faced a challenge from Andys Treasure to three-quarters in 1:31.4. She folded to Andys Treasure straightening for the finish as the victor strode clear by 1-3/4 lengths to the finish. Irish Luke finished third and AK Black Badger rounded the field.
Jacqueline Grundy trains Andys Treasure for owner-breeder Aurel Vodon. He won his second race from three starts and has now earned $6,900. He paid $18 to win.
Tagoras took the $4,200 Horses & Geldings Open Pace at the end of the card. The six-year-old El Toro stallion sat fourth as Helter Skelter and Woodmere Alvin battled for the lead through fractions of :28.3, :58.1 and 1:28.1. As the coals settled, trainer-driver Clayton Braybrook lifted Tagoras from fourth and hustled him for home to land a finishing blow on Helter Skelter by three-quarter lengths in 1:59. The victory gives Tagoras 14 in his career from 46 starts and pushes his bankroll to $44,655 for owner-breeder Vladimir Kreker.
Race 5 on the card was declared a no contest following an accident. All Speculation broke stride and fell to the track, interfering with trailing Spark The Dragon. The interference ejected driver Don Howlett from the sulky and hit the track. He left in an ambulance with a reported broken femur while Blake Piwniuk, driving All Speculation, got up and finished his drives on the afternoon. All Speculation later stood up and walked off the track from the accident. Trot Insider will provide updates on the accident as available.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Miami Fair.