Master Pine battled Whotookwhat in the final quarter mile and held gamely for a nose victory in the $13,900 Ohio Breeder's Championship for four and five-year-old trotters in Tuesday's action at the Delaware County Fair.
As the wings of the gate folded, Greg Grismore fired Pure Jesse out for the lead, forcing Whotookwhat into the two-hole. Ray Paver tipped Whotookwhat out before the half, providing important cover for the eventual winner. The pair raced past the three-quarter mile pole in 1:27.2, but it was Master Pine scoring the narrow victory in 1:57.4.
The four-year-old gelded son of Master Lavec is trained by Kyle Ater's father, Dan, for Mark Moger and Albert Delia of Pennsylvania.
"Dad did a nice job of getting him ready," noted the younger Ater. "The horse was great today."
Wednesday's 25-race card will begin at 10:45 a.m.
(LBJ)