Ron Burke trainee Oh Look Magic shipped and delivered as the 9-5 favourite in the $41,096 Open Trot at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel on Tuesday, April 23.
Just For Trix (Andy Miller) moved for the lead off the wings but relinquished control after a :26.3 first quarter to a headstrong Oh Look Magic (Devon Tharps) coming past the stands first time. Oh Look Magic muscled to control before the second turn and coasted through a :55.4 half and to three-quarters in 1:24.1 while Just For Trix gave chase from a widening pocket. Spinning for home, Oh Look Magic opened a four-length lead on a rough-gaited and soon off-stride Just For Trix to stroll in the winner in a 1:54.1 mile. Iwont Backdown As (Tony Hall) closed to finish second, beaten 1-1/4 lengths, with Usosweet Blue Chip (Atlee Bender) rallying for third. Just For Trix finished fourth, but was disqualified to seventh for an extended break in the stretch. Swan Flyer (Marvin Luna) ascended to fourth.
A four-year-old gelding by Lookslikeachpndale, Oh Look Magic collected his eighth win from 28 starts and has now banked $267,377. The Ontario Sires Stakes graduate now competes for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Coming in from The Meadowlands, Oh Look Magic paid $5.72 to win.
Later on the card Sweet Mr Pinetucky (Marvin Luna) took the lead past a :27.1 first quarter and kept chugging to win the $17,808 Open 3 Trot in 1:55.2. The Lester Raber trainee met a first-over challenge from Susies Sister (Emmanuel Miller) through a :57.2 half and 1:26.3 three-quarters as the field towered behind but then turned them all away. Sweet Mr Pinetucky rolled in a four-length winner to collect his 42nd victory from 248 tries and add to his bankroll now worth $523,454. Floyd Raber owns the 10-year-old gelded son of Pinetucky who paid $12.06 to win.
Live harness racing resumes at Oak Grove next Monday, April 29 at 3 p.m. (CDT) and features over $1,000 in carryovers, including a $508.75 carryover in the Early Pick 5 and a $982.51 carryover in the Early Pick 4.
(With files from Oak Grove Racing)