Oak Grove, KY — More aggressive tactics by Atlee Bender for Im Sir Blake A paid off as the Erv Miller trainee coasted to a 1:51.2 victory in the $27,000 co-featured Open Pace on Sunday afternoon (June 18) at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel.

Im Sir Blake A coasted to a 1:51.2 victory in the $27,000 Open Pace. Mark Herron photo.

Bender sent Im Sir Blake A from post three alongside This Kit Rocks (Joey Putnam), who took over the lead past a :27.4 first quarter. This Kit Rocks then hit the brakes past the stands, prompting Bender to circle Im Sir Blake A back to the top before a :56.2 half.

From there, the Erv Miller pupil rolled while stablemate Ohoka Chopper N (John MacDonald) began a first-over grind from last to pull within a length of the leader to three-quarters in 1:24.3. Im Sir Blake A remained loaded for the final-quarter sprint and charged home to win under a Bender death grip by three-quarters of a length over This Kit Rocks. Ohoka Chopper N held third.

Im Sir Blake A bagged his 29th win from 94 career tries and has now earned $395,737. Douglas Overhiser owns the 8-year-old gelding by Alta Christiano N who paid $4.92 to win.

Miller and Bender then teamed to take the $27,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace with The Pantheist A, who repeated at the top class for debutantes with a 1:50.4 effort.

The 7-year-old Bettor’s Delight mare worked a pocket ride behind Rockin Nola (Putnam) through a solid clip of :26, :54.4 and 1:22.1 before pouncing. Once she vacated the pocket, The Pantheist A lifted flight and finished under a firm hand by 1-1/2 lengths over Rockin Nola. Rose Run Vantage (MacDonald) finished third.

Overhiser owns The Pantheist A, a now 11-time winner from 63 starts with $223,465 earned. She paid $6.08 to win.

Racing resumes at Oak Grove on Monday (June 19) with a nine-race card headlined by a $28,000 Open Trot, slated as race four, along with an $18,000 Open 2 Trot in race one. First-race post time at Oak Grove is 3 p.m. (CDT).