“Bullet” handles class hike in Open Handicap

Now undefeated in two starts in 2024, Brookview Bullet (Always A Virgin) and harness racing driver Josh Sutton were able to handle the class hike in capturing the $32,000 Open Handicap Pace Thursday (Jan. 11) at Miami Valley Raceway.

It was just last week that Brookview Bullet won in wire-to-wire fashion in 1:50.3 and Sutton used the same tactics on Thursday.

Leaving from post five in the 10^th race feature, Sutton left with Brookview Bullet and with Later Dudes (Chris Page) in tow, cut the mile to the opening quarter in :26.3.

Coming to the half mile, Barry’s Berries (Luke Hanners) came first-over to challenge with race favorite Art Scaping (Jeremy Smith) second-over. Brookview Bullet led past the half mile in :54.4.

On to the backstretch where Brookview Bullet remained the strong horse as Barry’s Berries began to fade on the outside at the three-quarters in 1:21.2.

Around the final turn and Brookview Bullet was looking good, but then in the stretch came Later Dudes and despite a valiant effort, Brookview Bullet held them off to win by a neck in 1:49.1. Nashing Hill (Brett Miller) was third.

BROOKVIEW BULLET REPLAY

Off to an undefeated season so far with two straight triumphs, Brookview Bullet paid $11.80 to win. His time of 1:49.1 tied his lifetime record. The six-year-old gelding is trained by Henry Graber, Jr. for the Eleven Stars Stables of Indiana.

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

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink