The 4-year-old gelded son of Blissfull Hall got away fourth behind leader Southwind Jason (Pat Berry), who cut early fractions of :26.3 and :54.1. First-over past the half, Chiodo spent no time making the front with Mighty Young Joe, whom she also trains. “I really didn’t want to pull him, but I was sitting fourth and I needed to,” said trainer-driver Chiodo. “The horse in front of me was getting tired, and I knew I had him at that point.” Clear by nearly two lengths after three-quarters in 1:22.4, Mighty Young Joe began to tire in front of rivals Lennox Blue Chip (Eric Goodell), Menno Boy (Tim Tetrick), and Another Creation N (Jonathan Roberts). He was still able to muster a final quarter of :27.4, prevailing by three-parts of a length to win in a lifetime best 1:50.3.

“He was getting a little tired toward the end, but when the other horses got around him, he really dug in,” Chiodo added about the career earner of over $70,000.

2-year-old filly pacers contested the final of the Pocahontas Late Closing series, with Royal Fortune (Vic Kirby) nailing 4-5 betting choice Artexpress (Tim Tetrick) at the line in a time of 1:53.2. The Cams Fortune filly from the Lester Walls barn returned a $25.00 win mutual after finishing third and sixth in her two preliminary legs.

In yesterday’s Riverfront Ramble Late Closing series final for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers, Sam Beegle’s First Rate (Tony Morgan) and Liteninstrikstwice (Cat Manzi) finished one-two, with First Rate stopping the timer in 1:53.3. The Real Artist gelding overtook his entry mate just after the quarter, and never looked back, winning by three-parts of a length.