by Dean A. Hoffman

Lexington, KY — Shark Gesture powered to the front in the stretch to win the first $288,000 division of the Tattersalls for 3-year-old pacers at The Red Mile on Saturday (Oct. 7).

Shark Gesture was a 1:49.1 winner.

George Brennan drove the son of Cam’s Card Shark to a 1:49.1 score for trainer Erv Miller. It was his sixth win in 11 starts and the $144,000 first-place check doubled his seasonal earnings, bringing them to $288,125.

In a blanket finish for second, Western Guy grabbed second and third place went to Tyrant Hanover.

Shark Gesture paid $5.20, $3.20, and $3.20.

Dave Panlone pulled off an upset in winning the second division of the Tattersalls Pace, paying $36.40 to win. He attacked pacesetting Perfect Union as the field entered the homestretch and made a determined rush to win in 1:49.2. Brian Sears drove the son of The Panderosa for trainer Jim Arledge, Jr.

Mark Hall photos

Dave Panlone won his division in 1:49.2.

Driver David Miller tapped Perfect Union with his whip to encourage him to leave fast from his outside seven post position at the start of this split. Miller got him to the front before the quarter-mile marker in :26.2, then passed the half-mile marker in :53.4 and the three-quarters in 1:22.

By that point Sears had Dave Panlone moving up on the outside and paced past Perfect Union, who drifted off the pylons a bit, allowing Armbro Deuce to make a futile bid up the outside. It was Sandro Hanover and Scootin Delight that were pacing fastest at the finish, but Dave Panlone held them safe to win by a length.

It was the colt’s fourth win in 15 starts this year for owners James Stambaugh and Milton Leeman, both of Ohio.