LEBANON, OH. – Another pair of Claim To Fame Series champions were crowned Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 29) at frigid Miami Valley Raceway. Giovanni (Trace Tetrick) completed a clean sweep of the division for male $8000 claiming pacers, winning for the third straight week in the $22,500 final. Using the same come-from-behind tactics he employed in the two preliminary legs, Tetrick was content to ease away from the starting gate—falling in fifth along the pylons before the :26.4 quarter pole. The winner moved into the third-over position in the outer flow prior to the :55.2 midway point. Still in the same position at the 1:23.4 third teletimer, Tetrick moved Giovanni wider yet and swept easily to the lead in the stretch while clocking a 1:53.1 mile. Longshot Star Guitar (Kayne Kauffman) came up with a furious late rally to finish second ahead of show finisher Trixsen Gram (Dan Noble).
Owner-trainer Tyler George claimed Giovanni just prior to the series and has earned $20,250 in the month of January with his new pupil.
The fillies and mares $12,500 claiming champion Ginger Tree Alexis was claimed in each of the two preliminary legs and raced well for all three of her connections during the series. Following place and win finishes in the first two weeks, it was new owner-trainer Adam Short that got the biggest chunk of cheese by winning the $22,500 final. Driver Josh Sutton managed a perfect pocket trip for the 7-year-old winner, sitting snug behind pacesetter Golden Paradise (Tetrick) for most of the 1:55 mile. Always A Vision (Brett Miller) had the most pace in the stretch but fell just short as runnerup. Golden Paradise held on for the show dough.
Back to all Articles
