$34,000 Open Handicap won in front end style

All it took for harness racing driver Tyler Smith to win the $34,000 Open Handicap Trot at Miami Valley Raceway Monday (April 8) with Flemsteen (Explosive Matter) was to point him to the front.

And that is exactly what Smith did as Flemsteen was able to wire the field with no real pressure from any contenders. Smith left with Flemsteen from post five in the 9^th race feature and went right to the lead with Herecomescharlie B (Austin Hanners) sitting the two-hole trip to the opening quarter mile in :27.2.

On to the half mile led Flemsteen as Scorecard Dan (Sam Widger) started up first-over from fifth place with Wildfire Seelster (Jeremy Smith) second-over as they raced by the half mile in :56.4.

Then to through the backstretch and to the three-quarters, Flemsteen held the field at bay as Scorecard Dan could not gain on the race leader by the three-quarters in 1:24.2.

Despite having the two-hole trip, not even Herecomescharlie B could gain on the race favorite as Flemsteen and Tyler Smith were in control coming to the finish, winning by one and one-half lengths in 1:52.4. Herecomescharlie B was second with Spitfire Oversees (Brett Miller) closing for third plae.

FLEMSTEEN REPLAY

It was the second win and the fastest mile of the season for Flemsteen. The six-year-old gelding is trained by Chris Beaver and is co-owned by Beaver with Bill Manes and R.B.H. Ventures. He paid $5.40 to win.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink