Raceace takes Open Trot

July 19, 2023

This afternoons Open Trot saw 3 lead changes before the opening panel, Pivotal who was a winner last week in the class jumped out quickly (Tritton) from post 7 got roughed up parked on the outside 3 wide before he finally cleared to get the lead past the first quarter in 28.3. Raceace, sitting fourth was the first to come first over past the half in 58.1.  Pivotal was still the leader at the next stanza in 1:28 but coming was coming as Raceace was applying heavy pressure to the leader. Coming off the last turn the harsh opening quarter began to take its toll on Pivotal as Raceace went on by with a fast closing ER Shane (Aldrich Jr.)  getting up for the place spot in 1:58.2 with Tesla Seelster getting up for third.  Jim Devuax picked up the winning catch drive for usual pilot Alan Schwartz, it was his fifth win on the year and a season mark for the winner.

The North American Amateur Driving Association contest saw Reel Em In and Tony Ciuffetelli score a come from behind win over Call Me Thefireman (Verruso) in 1:59.2 – $4.30.  Robert Dill trains Reel Em In who notched his sixth seasonal victory.

Smart Talker (Greg Merton) won his ninth race on the year this afternoon with a wire-to-wire win in 1:55.1 – $2.60 for trainer Art Green.

Greg Merton had 2 winners on the day, he passed his brother Mike by 1 win and is now the second leading dash winner with 113 wins trailing the leader Jim Taggart Jr. who has 120 wins.