Pocket-sitter takes Oak Grove Open

OAK GROVE, KY — Perched in the pocket behind his tempo-setting stablemate, Swan Flyer (Swan For All) found a seam to the inside and powered through to a 1:53 harness racing victory in the $33,000 Open Trot at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotelon Tuesday (May 7).

Leaving from post 5, driver Brandon Bates managed to tuck Swan Flyer into the pocket behind even-money choice Oh Look Magic (driven by Devon Tharps) as Sweet Mr Pinetucky (Marvin Luna) yielded in third through a :26.2 burner to the stands for the first time. Oh Look Magic then snatched a breather to a :55.2 half and accelerated for the backside with Pioneer As (Tony Hall) looming first over on the rim.

Past three-quarters in 1:23.2, Oh Look Magic stayed strong through the turn but grew tired and drifted on the spin for home, opening a lane for Swan Flyer to fire through in the lane. Swan Flyer then surged past Pioneer As in the straightaway to snag the win by 1-1/4 lengths while Usosweet Blue Chip (Atlee Bender) closed for third and Oh Look Magic settled for fourth.

Swan Flyer has now won 16 races from 58 starts and earned $276,092. Ron Burke trains the 5-year-old gelding for owners FAC Racing LLC, Joseph Di Scala Jr. and Yannick Gingras. He paid $17.40 to win.