by Dean A. Hoffman

Lexington, KY — Sand Vic continued to dominate the best older trotters in North America as he took the $180,000 Allerage Farms at The Red Mile on Saturday (Oct. 7) in 1:51.4.

Mark Hall photo

Sand Vic gets up in the middle of the track to win the Allerage Farms Trot.

The 5-year-old son of Mr Vic-Cindy Q-American Winner was driven by Brian Sears for trainer Trond Smedshammer and owner August Fredrik Miedel of Pompano Beach, Florida. It was his tenth win in 13 starts and brought his 2006 earnings to $1,075,180.

Last year’s Hambletonian winner Vivid Photo, driven by Roger Hammer, led the field of nine into the stretch, but Sears had positioned Sand Vic second-over in perfect striking position and he tipped off cover entering the stretch. Following Sand Vic was former champion Mr Muscleman, but he was unable to stay with Sand Vic in his attack on the leader.

Vivid Photo clung to a rapidly-diminishing lead as they trotted toward the wire, but a determined effort by Sears and Sand Vic allowed them to shove a head in front to win. Mr Muscleman rallied to nose out Hez Striking to grab third.

Sand Vic paid $3.20 to win.