Lebanon, OH – Insomniac and Foolish Heart were crowned champions of their respective Claim To Fame Series on Monday (Jan. 27) afternoon at Miami Valley Raceway.  Each captured a preliminary leg enroute to the lucrative finals and each utilized the popular “give and go” strategy early in their triumphant championship miles.

Insomniac proved best in the $15,000 claiming trot division, contested for a $27,500 purse, scoring a 1:58.1 triumph over a sloppy track besting Away My Baby (Tyler Smith) and Ray Hall (Ricky Macomber Jr.).  Taking full advantage of an inside post draw, driver-trainer Brady Galliers allowed a single adversary to manage a temporary lead but retook control as the field passed the quarter mile marker.  From there, the margin of victory was about the only thing in doubt as the 8-year-old gelded son of Crazed easily lived up to his 6-5 favoritism and cruised to an open lengths victory.

Insomniac roared to victory in the trot division of the Claim to Fame Series today at Miami Valley. Brad Conrad photo. 

A noted early speed trotter, Insomniac has been on the lead at the halfway point in each of his last five starts, resulting in three wins in addition to a second a third place finish.  The 29-time winner has now amassed $350,517 in earnings.  He is owned by Galliers Racing LLC.

Trace Tetrick guided Foolish Heart to victory in the $17,500 final of the Claim To Fame division for $8,000 claiming mare pacers.  The 6-year-old daughter of Foreclosure N reclaimed the lead from stablemate T C Scandal (Brett Miller) early in the trip then showed her heels to the field until reaching the wire in 1:56.2.  Skyway Royalty (John DeLong) and My Caroline (Kyle Ater) did make a race of it in the stretch, but Foolish Heart held them off and returned $3.80 to her faithful.

Foolish Heart and Trace Tetrick picked up the title in the pacing mare division of the Claim to Fame Series. Brad Conrad photo.

Partners Carl Howard, Dana Parham and trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. claimed the winner out of the first preliminary leg in the series for $9,600 and were rewarded with a $8,750 return in their first start with the new stable addition.

The eight division Claim To Fame Series at Miami Valley will come to a close on Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 28) when the $8,000 claiming “boys” and $12,500 claiming “girls” will each decide their championships while chasing $22,500 purses.  Post time is 2:05 p.m.