by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Delaware, OH — Sumatra made a sustained first-over charge from prior to the half-mile point and pulled off a 19-1 upset in Thursday’s $118,300 Old Oaken Bucket for 3-year-old male trotters at the Delaware County Fair.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Sumatra withstood a first-over trip to win Thursday’s Old Oaken Bucket for 3-year-old male trotters in 1:56.1 at the Delaware County Fair.

Driven by Brian Sears, Sumatra grabbed the lead at three-quarters and held off favorite Datsyuk and Il Sogno Dream to post the victory in 1:56.1. He paid $41 to win.

It was Sumatra’s first triumph since capturing the Dexter Cup at Freehold Raceway on May 3.

“My horse doesn’t have the handiest speed in the world, but he’s honest and he tries real hard,” Sears said. “I didn’t put any pressure on my horse, I just kind of let him roll on. He’s not real quick, but he keeps going, doesn’t get real tired. He showed it today.”

Skates N Plates used a three-wide move around the first turn to eventually grab the lead from Uva Hanover as the field reached the opening quarter-mile in :28. Sumatra was fourth, but Sears soon put the son of Muscles Yankee-Lola Seelster in motion and was second on the outside by the time the leaders reached the half in :56.4.

Sumatra was able to pass Skates N Plates at three-quarters, hit in 1:26, and continued on to victory. He has won two of 12 races this year and earned $156,505 for owner Joe Smith and trainer Tom Fanning.

“He’s got grit,” said Fanning. “That was a great effort. I thank the Smiths for the opportunity to train horses like him.”