by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager

Delaware, OH — Strollin Stable, William Robinson, and James Koehler’s Won The West was victorious in a stretch duel with Mister Big to capture the $50,300 Winbak Pace for older horses on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 24) at the Delaware, Ohio County Fair.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Won The West (4) equaled the national season’s record for an older pacing gelding on a half-mile track.

David Miller was in the bike for trainer Ron Burke as the 5-year-old Western Hanover-Gabrielle gelding scored in 1:50.4, equaling the national season’s record for an older pacing gelding on a half-mile track. The victory was the fourth of the year for Won The West, who lifted his 2009 bankroll to $503,720.

Mister Big (Brian Sears) left alertly from post position three and went right to the front, cutting fractions of :27.2, :55.4 and 1:24.1. Won The West got away third in this compact four-horse field, then pulled first over on the leader heading to the three-quarter pole.

These two dueled down the stretch with Won The West just getting up in the final strides for the victory by a half-length. Mister Big held second, with Atochia (Dave Palone) third and Booze Cruzin (Sam Widger) fourth.

“I’ve only driven him maybe four or five times,” said winning driver David Miller. “He’s pretty versatile that way (coming from any position during a race) but I think his best races are coming from the back with one run.

“Our plan today was to race him off the pace and with the short field I was a little concerned when Mister Big got to the front so easy but the horse is in top form right now and I was actually surprised and shocked that he got around him.

“I mean a half in :55(.4) for Mister Big. The horse isn’t on his game and he’s still pacing (1):48 miles. Anytime a horse can pace in (1):48 with a :56 half on a half-mile track, I’m not supposed to get by him.”