Delaware County Fair: Osterc best in Old Oaken Bucket

Osterc got around a breaker early to get the lead, then held off bids from other contenders to win the $95,425 Old Oaken Bucket for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters in 1:54 4/5.

Union Forces (Louis-Philippe Roy) left strongly from the outside post five and got to the front, but coming off the first turn he broke stride, bothering Osterc, who put in some steps while getting around him. Once he navigated safely around that issue, Osterc went on to the quarter in 28 4/5 and the half in 58 3/5, with Summit In Sight (Andy Miller) coming first-over from third.

Osterc and Summit In Sight hooked up in a battle to the 1:26 three-quarters, but Osterc was able to maintain the inside advantage and the lead. On the far turn Osterc continued to show the way with Summit In Sight lagging on the rim, but Mass Fortune K (Matt Kakaley), who had dropped back from the pocket in that quick third quarter caught back up, then found racing room the inside in the stretch. Osterc fought him off as well, though, winning by a neck. Summit In Sight held third, with Livinonthedash (Marcus Miller) fourth from second-over, and Union Forces rounding out the order.

"He raced very tough in the Hambletonian elimination from a bad post and just got beat by Green Manalishi at the wire. He was a little tired in the final. We went to the Yonkers Trot, and he didn't get around the track great. He raced okay in the PA Sire Stakes final, but I think he's on his way back now," remarked winning trainer Per Engblom. "He trained very good and he felt nice and sound. After the warm-up I was pretty confident he was going to do good.

"I was feeling good at the half. I was standing right before the quarter-pole when he actually hit the wheel of Union Forces when he made a break. I was a little nervous he was going to get off-stride, but he's got a good mindset. You don't want to make a mistake."

A Cantab Hall colt, Osterc is a homebred for Christina Takter and Goran Falk. This was Osterc's ninth career win, and he has now earned $453,030. The 4-5 favorite, Osterc paid $3.80 to win.