Tuesday, January 20 Recap

January 20, 2026

In the afternoons $7,500 Open Pace, there was a full field of 8, Ima Happy Fella GB (B. Aldrich Jr.) from post 5 was installed the post time favorite. The beginning of the race saw Buy In (M. Merton) and Vel Trust In Time (M. Sowers) play hard ball as Vel Trust In Time never saw the wood. Buy In (M Merton – PP4) continued to cut the mile in the brutal wind thru splits of 27.4, 57, & 1:26 all the while Intimidation was lurking in the 2 hole. Turning for home Intimidation (T. Merton) came off the rail and went on to score a 4-length win in 1:55.3 – $7.90, the winner was trained by Paul Bumenfeld, for Tom Merton it ended his 0 wins in 61 starts. Life In Color (M. Sowers) made it 2 straight this afternoon after a brisk 1:56.4 – $12.26 for trainer Terry Finch, the 8 year old Shadow Play gelding is owned by Diana Bartells. Winter Asher Stalbaum scored his first win on the New Year with his very own Crooked Kingdom with an open length win in 2:05 – $4.02.

McGwire Sowers and Greg Merton each had a pair of driving doubles on the 10 race card. Wagering continues to be strong; the 10 race card generated $682,068 in handle.