Front end the place to be in Miami Valley Open

Flemsteen (Explosive Matter) and harness racing driver Tyler Smith found the front-end to their liking Monday (March 18) as they wired the field in winning the $34,000 Open Handicap Trot at Miami Valley Raceway.

Leaving from post five, race favorite Flemsteen and Smith shot to the early lead and held a two length margin at the opening quarter in :27.3. Sittting in the two-hole spot was Herecomescharlie B (Austin Hanners).

As they approached the half mile marker, Flemsteen saw his first challenger come first-over with Predator And Prey (Josh Sutton) vying for the lead by the half mile in :56.3. Scorecard Dan (Sam Widger) grabbed the live second-over cover.

Down the backstretch, Predator And Prey continued first-over but could not advance better than second place on the outside as Flemsteen led to the three-quarters in 1:24.2.

Around the final turn, Flemsteen started to open up on the field, leading by two and one-half lengths by the top of the stretch and kept that lead all the way to the finish wire in 1:53.2. Scorecard Dan came on for second place with Skyway Kon Man (Trace Tetrick) third.

FLEMSTEEN REPLAY

It was the first win of the season for Flemsteen. The six-year-old gelding is trained and co-owned by Chri Beaver with Bill Manes and R.B.H. Ventures and paid $4.20 to win.

Trace Tetrick led all drivers with a triple.

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

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink