LEBANON, OH – If Big City Pearl harness racing fans had $2.20 in their pockets before the Monday (Jan. 24) Open Handicap Trot in Miami Valley and risked their last two dollars on the 4-year-old Chapter Seven mare, they had a $100 ticket when the race was declared official.
Although Big City Pearl won eight times as a juvenile and pocketed nearly $150,000, this was only his second start in open competition and resulted in a $99.80 win. Driver-coach LeWayne Miller was content to run sixth after the first quarter in: 27.3, then moved up to fifth outside at the midpoint scorer: 56.3.
The winner went third when the third teletimer flashed 1:25.1, but still heavily favored Pick Me Upper (Tony Hall) and Refined (Mitch Cushing) to catch. Digging deep for one last push down the stretch, Big City Pearl accomplished that task, then held off a fast-closing runner-up Pass The Vape (Trevor Smith) to triumph and blast the dash.
In addition to the nearly $100 winning prize, a $2 exacta was worth $327, and a 50-cent trifecta with Pick Me Upper for third brought in $410.
GREAT CITY PEARL REPLAY
Co-featured on the Monday program was the first of many Claim To Fame Series championships dotted next month in Miami Valley. This $25,000 final for men claiming $12,500 was captured by Levi for driver Sam Widger, trainer Ryan Bellamy and owner Jack Freeman.
Although the word on the back was that Levi couldn’t leave the door, Widger wasn’t convinced and he sent the 6-year-old son of pet stone on his way immediately. Earning the point with a :27.2 panel, Levi had back-to-back quarterbacks of :28 while controlling the tempo in the middle of the soft.
The tactic left other hopefuls struggling in vain as Levi crossed the finish line in 1:53.2. Bellamy started the first leg winner of the series but lost it via protest box to coach Charlie Stewart.
Stewart won the rematch, but Bellamy salvaged Levi to have him for the lucrative final.
LEVI REPLAY
Racing resumes on Tuesday (January 25) with a start time of 4:05 p.m. The card will include a $26,000 Mares Open Pace as well as the $22,500 Claim To Fame Championship for the $12,500 point guards.
From Miami Valley Raceway