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FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — After being stretched out through a :26.2 first quarter and fending off a stern first-over challenge from Coaches Corner through the far turn, John Cancelliere’s Maximus Miki (Always B Miki) outlasted an inside challenge from pocket rival Nijinsky to seal a narrow 1:48.2 harness racing victory in the Grade 3 $125,000 Potomac Pace on Sunday (Nov. 2) at Rosecroft Raceway.
In line to Scott Zeron, Maximus Miki pushed forward from post 8 to clear 2024 North America Cup winner Nijinsky (driven by Dexter Dunn) on the first turn while Coaches Corner (Jason Bartlett) secured a three-hole ride from the pole. Coaches Corner angled off the pegs on entry to the clubhouse turn and inched closer to Maximus Miki through a :55 half before advancing to engage the pacesetter through a :26.2 third-quarter duel.
Off the corner for home, Maximus Miki dug in to keep third-place finisher Coaches Corner at bay and also held off a late charge from 7-5 favorite Nijinsky up the open stretch by a scant nose to score his sixth win of the season.
Abuckabett Hanover, last year’s Potomac winner, finished fourth, beaten 3-3/4 lengths.
MAXIMUS MIKI REPLAY
Maximus Miki, whose other major conquests this season include the Canadian Pacing Derby and the Harrah’s Hoosier Park Pacing Derby, is trained by Tom Cancelliere. As the 4-1 third choice, the 6-year-old Always B Miki gelding paid $10.20 to win.
Zeron also won the undercard feature, the $25,000 Pete Medhurst Legacy Pace, with Sheer Terror. The 5-year-old Always B Miki gelding made a middle move from third to take the lead just beyond a :54.2 half before evading late pursuers A Major Attitude and Layton Hanover by three lengths to win in 1:50 for trainer Willard Reynolds and owner Mark Howard.
Eric Davis and Russell Foster led all drivers with three wins apiece on the 13-race card.
Live racing at Rosecroft resumes Thursday (Nov. 6); first post is 7:15 p.m. (EST).
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
From Rosecroft Raceway
