by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager

Columbus, OH — Royal Wire Products’ Lanson took command on the backstretch and then withstood a late rally by Michaelrowyourboat to win the $133,200 Allerage Farm Open Horse Trot on Saturday (Oct. 10) at The Red Mile.

Lanson was a 1:54.1 winner in the Allerage Farm Open Horse Trot.

Mike Lachance was in the bike for trainer Don Swick as the 5-year-old Self Possessed-M Stewart gelding posted his seventh victory in 18 season’s starts. He has now banked $376,740 in 2009.

Claudius Augustus (Dan Shelter) outdueled ABC Mercedes (John Campbell) for the early lead as field passed the opening quarter in :28.1. But once the field straightened out on the backstretch, Lachance was out and rolling with Lanson and they were in front at the half in :56.3 and began to open up by the 1:25.3 three-quarter pole.

Heading down the stretch, Lanson was in total command, then began to ease up just a bit as Michaelrowyourboat (Jimmy Smith) came charging hard. Lanson held on to win by a measured length in a time of 1:54.1, with Michaelrowyourboat second. Wind Surfer (Brian Sears) picked up the show dough.

“He’s had a good year,” said trainer Don Swick, “although chasing (probable division champion) Lucky Jim has been a real task.

“At the beginning of the year Mike wasn’t leaving with him and he was coming up a bit short. Since then he has been leaving the gate with good speed.

“He took it nice and easy today and got the race we wanted. When he gets up like that (with a big lead) he will kind of let up. He likes to race horses.”

Buck I St Pat rolls in Mare Trot

Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold, Abraham Basen and Ron Fuller’s Buck I St Pat came flying down the stretch to win the $73,000 Allerage Farm Mare Trot in a time of 1:54.

USTA/Ed Keys photos

Buck I St Pat rolled to an 8-3/4 length score in a time of 1:54.

Tim Tetrick was in the bike for trainer Ron Burke as the 6-year-old Jaihouse Jesse-Name It Something mare posted her ninth win in 16 season’s starts, lifting her 2009 earnings to $390,925.

Buck I St Pat got away fifth in the field of the same number as Dynamite Diva was the early leader in a time of :28.3. Heading down the backstretch, Dynamite Diva went on a break, leaving Classic Lane to inherit the lead at the :57 half, before Up Front Hotsey was sent to the front at the 1:26.1 three-quarter pole.

But in the stretch, Buck I St Pat charged around the trotters in front of her and drew off to an 8-3/4 length win in 1:54. Classic Lane (John Campbell) came back to finish second, with Diana Hall (Dave Palone) third.

“She has had a very limited schedule this year, because they (the owners) don’t want to over race her,” said assistant trainer Mickey Burke, Jr. “At this time it looks like she will continue racing next year.”

Editor’s Note: To view a photo slideshow of the day’s racing on Flickr, click here.