Show Me A Million worth every penny in Paver Memorial

Show Me A Million (Dover Dan) and harness racing driver Sam Widger showed true grit and stamina in winning the $35,000 Ray Paver, Sr. Memorial Trot Wednesday, April 10 at Miami Valley Raceway.

The late closer series finale took place in the 8^th race where unbeaten Upnaway Blue Chip (Trace Tetick) went right to the lead and opened up by two lengths on the field at the opening quarter in :27.3 with Rumbleinthevalley (Jeremy Smith) sitting the two-hole.

It was race favorite Show Me A Million who then came first-over heading to the half mile as Upnaway Blue Chip led by three lengths at the half in :56.3. Now the battle was on.

Show Me A Million advanced on pacesetter Upnaway Blue Chip with Accelerate (Tyler Smith) getting the live cover second-over. The pace quickened as Show Me A Million was only a quarter off a length from looking Upnaway Blue Chip in the eye as they trotted by the three-quarters in 1:25.1.

By the top of the stretch, both Upnaway Blue Chip on the inside and Show Me A Million first-over were just noses apart. But the stretch drive was when Show Me A Million showed his ability and trotted away to a two and one-half length triumph in 1:54.2. Both Upnaway Blue Chip and Collector S (Brett Miller) finished in a dead heat for second.

SHOW ME A MILLION REPLAY

It was a lifetime mark and a clean sweep of the series with three straight wins for Show Me A Million. The four-year-old stallion is trained by Susan Miller for owners L & S Racing, Fred Wittmer, George Kucik, Jr. and Joni Beechy. He paid $3.40 to win.

Brett Miller led all drivers on the card with five winners.

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

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink