Trick Man won the faster of two divisions of the Open II Pace at Scioto Downs on the closing night of the 2012 season.
His time of 1:52.4 was a tick faster than the time clocked by Emjayem Grand A in winning his split of the night’s feature event.
Trick Man was the even-money favourite for trainer-driver Ray Paver and he got away in the middle of the 10-horse field. Docs Yankee got to the quarter-pole first, then yielded to Chases Legacy as the pair duelled to the half-mile marker in :55.1.
Paver moved Trick Man with authority with a quarter-mile remaining, sweeping three-wide around the final turn, and took command as the field entered the stretch. Trick Man got to the wire one and a quarter lengths ahead of War Dancer while Chases Legacy held for third place.
Trick Man is owned by Carolyn, Kris, and Donald Brechler of Ohio. The winner is a five-year-old son of Mantacular. The victory was the first in eight starts this season for Trick Man, who had finished second in his last two starts at Scioto. The Friday night win pushed Trick Man’s career earnings past the $300,000 mark.
Emjayem Grand A scored in 1:53 after sitting on the back of pacesetter Hangone Cowboy for most of the mile. Greg Grismore edged the seven-year-old pacer by Bettors Delight past a tiring Hangone Cowboy in the stretch while Heza Star Cruiser got up second place. Hangone Cowboy settled for third.
Emjayem Grand A is owned by RBH Ventures of New York and Gerrie Tucker of Montreal, Que. The win was the fifth in 23 starts this year for the Australian-born gelding.
Scioto Downs closes its 2012 racing season, but the racino, which opened in early June, will remain open 24 hours each day.
(Scioto Downs)