LEBANON, OH. – A pair of lucrative harness racing 'Claim To Fame' series championships shared top billing with a $20,000 Fillies and Mares Open pace on Friday night (January 29) at Miami Valley Raceway. $8000 claiming pacers that qualified by either winning a division or finishing second twice went postward for a $23,000 purse, the largest purse any of these older geldings has chased in two years. Mares that started their Claim To Fame split as $20,000 claimers three weeks ago whittled down to a talented field of nine that fought over a $26,500 bounty.
Csardas (Trace Tetrick) captured the championship for the $8000 claiming geldings, besting E R Truevalue (Chris Page) following a thrilling stretch drive that resulted in a 1:54.1 clocking. Allstar Seelster (Dan Noble) got the show dough. Csardas was brought to Ohio by trainer-driver Pat Berry, who turned over the training duties to Sherif Cunmulaj for a show finish in the first leg. The nine-year-old son of Tune Town quickly reeled off a 1:53.2 triumph in the second leg before following up with the winning championship mile. Berry co-owns the champ with partner J. Craparotta.
Pipecreek Star (Jeremy Smith) upset the classy lasses who started their series as $20,000 claimers. Smith worked out a second-over journey for the six-year-old daughter of Always A Virgin. Despite a win in the first leg, Pipecreek Star paid $30.00 for a $2 win ticket, likely due to a disappointing seventh place finish in the second leg. Owner-trainer Grant Wilfong had her in fine form for the championship, though, as she topped My Hare Lady (Jason Brewer) and A Little Starstruck (Trace Tetrick).
Addy's Way (Dan Noble) got her initial open class victory of 2016 by downing Cast No Shadow (Tyler Smith) and American Girl (Trace Tetrick) in 1:53.1. It was the 43rd lifetime victory for the eight-year-old Camluck mare, and the winner's share of the $20,000 purse pushed her career bankroll to $341,715. Meredith Noble has recently taken over the conditioner's duties from owner Steve Perkins of Perkins Racing Stable LLC.
Racing resumes Saturday night (January 30) with a $20,000 Open pace and another pair of Claim To Fame championship races on tap. Horses and geldings originally entered as $12,500 claimers will compete for a $29,500 purse; while fillies and mares of the same ilk will chase a $18,700 bounty.
Gregg Keidel
